Dialectical Behavior Therapy Summary

The stages of treatment addressed in Dialectical Behavior Therapy work on a hierarchy scale, which looks at the most severe problems to the less severe. Stage 1 is behavior control, which begins with the life-threatening behaviors and suicide. (Linehan & Wilks, 2015). In Stage 2, guided activities are created to produce a wide range of emotions (Linehan & Wilks, 2015). Stage 3 is to reduce problems in everyday life (Linehan & Wilks, 2015). Stage 4 is finding joy and completeness within oneself (Linehan & Wilks, 2015).
The stages of treatment occur in different modes of Dialectical Behavior Therapy. They consist of two 24 week sessions repeated to make a yearlong treatment. There are four modes to treatment: individual sessions, group skills

Dialectical Behavior Therapy looks at the opposites: acceptance and change. These skills allow the client to manage their own emotions and thoughts. The core modules or principles in Dialectical Behavior Therapy are (1) mindfulness, (2) interpersonal skills, (3) regulating emotions, and (4) distress tolerance.
Mindfulness is the focusing skills. Mindfulness uses the philosophical teaching of the Zen from the Buddhists to help individuals become more mindful to the environment around them. Mindfulness can help individuals to become more engaged in the present. This allows individuals to be less focused on traumatic events in their lives. A few skills that are learned in group include wise mind, wordless observation, and being non-judgmental. There are three states of mind: emotional, rational, and wise mind. Mindfulness is also corresponded with the other modules of skill building. Every homework sheet does include a mindfulness activity in which an individual must “observe and describe” (Linehan & Wilks, 2015). In order to be mindful, one must observe with an open mind, describe the situation effectively, and participate or engage in a non-judgmental way (Linehan & Wilks,

Interpersonal skills allow for new tools to be able to more effectively express oneself. It helps with building relationships with others. Individuals who are diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder often have trouble with relationships, therefore learning the correct ways to communicate is important. Both nonverbal and verbal communication tools are learned in group therapy. These skills can then be applied to individual situations and worked during individual therapy. Interpersonal skills create and maintain healthy relationships for the individual. It also is a way to balance priorities and demands, as well as wants and “shoulds”. One acronym that is used during therapy is DEARMAN, which looks at ways to assert yourself to obtain the desired outcome or