What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?
DBT is a well-researched form of mindfulness-based cognitive and behavioral therapy developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan. Designed to increase our ability to manage our emotions, DBT helps us to to change our automatic responses to life events. DBT is usually composed of two parts, DBT skills classes and individual DBT therapy. The two parts complement each other. Clients attend DBT skills classes and individual therapy weekly. Skills classes start with mindfulness to increase awareness of ourselves, others and the world around us. We use mindfulness as we work on problem thinking and behaviors that underlie things that interfere with our health and wellbeing. In DBT skills group you will learn about emotions, how to manage them, how to cope with distress, have healthy relationships with the people around you and with yourself. You will learn to do this with kindness and love toward yourself and others. Skills learned in group are then explored, individualized and integrated with into the clients own life situation through individual DBT therapist work.
DBT Treatment Philosophy:
This philosophy is consistent with the DBT model, the Triangle Area DBT (TADBiT) and my DBT consultation team.
The DBT treatment model is centered a mutually respectful and collaborative relationship between the client and therapist, which is outlined by the standard Client-Therapist Agreements described below.
Therapist Agreements:
Therapist Agreements with the client are discussed in the first few sessions and may be done orally or as a written contract. All therapists on my DBT team address the following in Therapist Agreements.
Client Agreements:
Client Agreements with the therapist are discussed in the first few sessions and may be done orally or as a written contract. All therapists on this team address the following in the Client Agreements.
This philosophy is consistent with the DBT model, the Triangle Area DBT (TADBiT) and my DBT consultation team.
The DBT treatment model is centered a mutually respectful and collaborative relationship between the client and therapist, which is outlined by the standard Client-Therapist Agreements described below.
Therapist Agreements:
Therapist Agreements with the client are discussed in the first few sessions and may be done orally or as a written contract. All therapists on my DBT team address the following in Therapist Agreements.
- Therapist will make every reasonable effort to conduct the therapy as competently as possible according to the protocols established by Linehan, et al.
- Therapist will make it clear that he/she cannot save the patient or solve all the patient’s problems, and he/she will make the best effort to help the patient gain insight and learn behavioral tools to solve the patient’s problems.
- Therapist will administer therapy in accordance with therapist’s governing ethical codes.
- Therapist will agree to attend all therapy sessions and provide reasonable notice in advance when needing to reschedule.
- Therapist will establish and make clear personal contact guidelines outside of the therapy sessions. This includes guidelines for coaching calls and clarifying therapist’s personal limits.
- Therapist agrees that all information discussed in the therapeutic relationship will be kept confidential. Therapist will inform client about any situations where confidentiality could be broken.
- Therapist agrees to obtain consultation when needed and will explain the role of the DBT Consultation Team to the patient.
Client Agreements:
Client Agreements with the therapist are discussed in the first few sessions and may be done orally or as a written contract. All therapists on this team address the following in the Client Agreements.
- After the initial intake and introductory sessions, the therapist and client will agree on whether they will work together and for how long. The therapist and client agree to a fixed amount of time (6 months, 12 months) and agree to discuss renewal that the end of the term.
- Therapist will explain the circumstances of unilateral termination: patients who miss four sessions in a row of individual therapy or skills class will be terminated.
- The client will agree to attend all therapy sessions and skills classes. When the client must miss a class, the therapist and client will agree on how and when to notify the therapist.
- Client will agree to work toward solving problems in ways that do not include self-harm or suicide.
- Client and therapist will agree to work on any problem-behaviors that interfere with the progress of treatment.
- Client agrees to participate in DBT skills training whether it be in a skills class or in another setting agreed upon with the therapist.