Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is a form of psychotherapy focused on helping patients to manage strong emotions and relationships. ‘Dialectical’ stems from the dialectical method, where people with different viewpoints on a subject try to reach the truth through dialogue and argumentation. Through the lens of psychiatry, the ‘truth’ trying to be reached would be the strong negative emotions of a patient, analysed through continuous questioning by the patient and others.
Thoughts and feelings are often contradictory, something therapists will help their patients to realise throughout the process. By constantly questioning each thought, a new one will arise, helping the patient to rationalise their thoughts and not get overwhelmed by their negativity.
Who is it for?
Though originally developed to help people with strong suicidal tendencies manage their impulses, it has become a treatment for a multitude of psychiatric conditions, such as borderline personality disorder. It is commonly used for patients suffering from anxiety and depression, as well as self-harm, bulimia, and substance abuse.
DBT is usually for people who have already been through other forms of therapy to no avail and is carried out by an extensively trained therapist. Anyone seeking mental health training courses Plymouth can find online resources, such as those at www.tidaltraining.co.uk/mental-health-training-courses/plymouth.
An Example of DBT
DBT courses typically occur weekly, with both group and individual sessions. Patients are often asked to continue practising their skills outside of sessions, helping them to manage emotions over time. This is typically done through a diary that tracks moods and intensity which are then discussed.
The process questions the impulses of the patient, helping them to understand and manage their thought processes through mindfulness. By acknowledging how quickly emotions can come and go, patients can easily rationalise them, diminishing their power.
There is a lot of overlap with cognitive behavioural therapy. Both methods help patients understand how their mind can trick them into being unproductive.
When a patient experiences negative thoughts, they are asked to compare these to previous instances, helping them to realise how much thoughts can be blown out of proportion and to stifle negativity in future instances.
