DBT therapy was initially developed as a treatment for women who were chronically suicidal and parasuicidal. It was then popularized as a treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder. Therefore, it works wherever emotions are a problem.
The treatment program is based on a concept that includes a Biosocial Theory that explains the etiology of emotion dysregulation typical of BPD. The dbt therapy London integrates elements of behavior change from Cognitive-Behavioral theory and practice with elements of Acceptance, Social Psychology theory, Client-Centered Therapy and ZEN practice. Dialectics refers to the balance between the ability to accept oneself and reality, and the skills that allow for change.
4 Stages of Treatment
DBT has 4 stages of treatment based on the person’s level of dysfunction and has a clear hierarchy of treatment goals prioritization at each stage:
- reducing suicidal and life-threatening behavior;
- reducing behaviors that interfere with treatment;
- decreasing behaviours that impair quality of life;
- increasing coping skills.
Thanks to this, even when working with the most demanding patients, the therapist has a clear plan of action and knows what to do. Research indicates that, for example, in the case of self-injury, therapies that directly address these behaviors work best.
4 Skills Training Modules
Skills training, which is an integral part and the basis of this therapy, consists of 4 modules:
- mindfulness ;
- interpersonal skills;
- emotion regulation;
- coping with crisis/stress.
Training is best done in a group, but remember that two people are already a group. You can also do the training individually if there are no other options. Training, i.e. practicing specific skills, for example: meditation, relaxation, visualization, homework sheets (e.g. recognizing emotions), learning assertiveness (exercise, role playing, homework), getting out of dissociation, etc.
4 Treatment Modes
DBT is conducted simultaneously in 4 modes: group skills training, individual therapy, telephone consultations and meetings of the leading team. These modes correspond to four treatment functions:
- helping patients learn new skills;
- help motivate you to use these skills;
- helping patients to generalize these skills
- to everyday life;
- maintaining motivation and developing the skills of therapists.
DBT focuses on helping patients not only stop using dysfunctional methods of regulating emotions, but also on building a Life Worth Living – we assume that then and only then can we talk about therapeutic success.
How to start
working in the DBT trend?
Introduction to DBT
First, it is worth reading the article on DBT on Wikipedia about this therapy, and then reading our blog , where most of the articles on exercise, specific advice, come from dialectic behavior therapy.
If you are interested, you can watch the video of the trainer , who talks about one of the skills that both patients and therapists use; It also allows you to feel the atmosphere in which the classes will be conducted. You can also read the comments from our previous trainings, and the comments of our patients who praise this type of therapy very much.
The latest DBT test results are collected on this pagewhere you can also do great online training , which I highly recommend (in English).
If all this convinces you, sign up for the introductory training , which allows you to clarify any doubts, as well as get acquainted with the general outline of this therapy.
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Literature
After the initial training, it is necessary to read literature, which we have a lot in English.
A lot of information can be found on our blog and website, which we update frequently.
It is absolutely necessary to read these books:
Marsha Linehan: Borderline Personality Disorder (this is the main DBT manual that explains the issues related to conducting individual therapy), I believe that this book can be a basic manual for anyone dealing with psychological help.
Marsha Linehan: Skills Training , a detailed study of DBT training, the practical part of therapy. You can download a training sample here.
You can subscribe to the English Society of Dialectical and Behavioral Therapy, which organizes events, for example webinars at an affordable price.
Training DBT training
Training on DBT training that is done in a group.
As Marsha Linehan says: 2 people is already a group. Therefore, it is enough to have 2 patients to create such a group. Around the world, DBT therapists also conduct training individually, dividing the therapeutic session in half (30 minutes individual / 30 minutes training) or meeting twice a week (one individual session, one training session). There are many possibilities and we will talk about it during the training.
Skills training consists of 4 modules, therefore this training also consists of 4 parts corresponding to these modules.
Training modules: Mindfulness, Mindfulness (the most important, mindfulness is the basis of DBT); Emotion Regulation; Interpersonal Skills, Crisis Survival/Stress Resilience.
Advanced Training
Advanced training on the therapeutic relationship in DBT, individual meetings, building motivation, as well as solving difficult and crisis situations, risk management, telephone coaching, behavioral principles of shaping behavior as well as behavioral chain analysis and analysis of solutions. All current trainings can be found here, there is also a registration form with suggestions for additional trainings that are not yet on offer, but we can organize them.
