Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) was developed by Psychologist Marsha Linehan to assist individuals struggling with emotional regulation difficulties (including Borderline Personality Disorder) and particularly those who experience suicidal ideation and/or self-harming in order to regulate their difficult emotions.

DBT combines standard cognitive-behavioural techniques for emotion regulation and reality-testing with concepts of distress tolerance, acceptance, and mindful awareness, partly derived from the Buddhist practice of meditation. DBT has been found in research to be generally effective in treating Borderline Personality Disorder, resulting in reduced rates of suicidal gestures, psychiatric hospitalizations and treatment drop-out when compared to standard treatments.