THUNAIDialectical : Holding opposite truths in our minds at the same time.
DBT refers to dialectical behavioral therapy. It’s an approach to therapy that can help you learn to cope with difficult emotions.
DBT originated from the work of psychologist Marsha Linehan, who worked with people living with borderline personality disorder (BPD, Please see forthcoming article on what is BPD) or ongoing thoughts of suicide. Today, it’s still used to treat BPD as well as a range of other conditions, including:
eating disorders
self-harm
depression
substance use disorders
At its core, DBT helps people build four major skills that can help you live a happier, more balanced life. :
mindfulness
distress tolerance
interpersonal effectiveness
emotional regulation
How does DBT compare to CBT?
DBT is considered a subtype of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), but there’s a lot of overlap between the two. Both involve talk therapy to help better understand and manage your thoughts and behaviors. However, DBT puts more emphasis on managing emotions and interpersonal relationships. This is largely because it was originally developed as a treatment for BPD, which is often marked by dramatic swings in mood and behavior that can make having relationships with others difficult.
DBT empowers you by teaching you very specific ways (skills) to accept the present (awareness) and to manage the distress and emotions. Linehan believes that unless you fully accept what condition you are in, change will not be possible. DBT teaches how to do this with self love and in easy steps. This is still a developing therapy type in India with few practitioners. Thunai.org is interested in working with the therapists to enhance their skills in this area.