Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Mental illness is a leading cause of disability in Canada (Center for Addiction & Mental Health (CAMH, 2014). With one in five Canadians experiencing a mental health condition, there is an increasing need for early detection, intervention and prevention of relapse of these illnesses (Kozy & Varcarolis, 2014). The use of various therapies is therefore imperative in enhancing patient outcomes. Learning goal By midterm, I will be able to provide an accurate description of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and the various activities involved. I will also describe the principles underlying DBT, its benefits and application in the treatment of various mental illnesses. In addition, I will describe …show more content…
Dialectics is the practice of logical discussion. Consequently, it is a strategy that nurses can utilize to facilitate change and help the patient to progress beyond acute stabilization (Osborne & McComish, 2006). This learning goal is important in nursing because the goals of DBT focus on increasing positive behavior, increasing the ability of the client to tolerate stress, manage negative emotions and increase self respect (Osborne & McComish, 2006). A nurse can utilize DBT skills such as mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation and distress tolerance during intervention (Osborne & McComish, 2006). Conclusion The opportunity to work on this learning goal will help me to understand the effectiveness of DBT as a form of therapy for various mental illnesses. Furthermore, it will enable me to understand the skills that can help to enhance a patient’s outcomes and to be successful in this mental health