Dialectical Behavior Therapy
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Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) was developed by Marsha Linehan in the 1980s as a treatment program for patients with borderline disorder, ie people with severe emotional vulnerability and instability. The therapy is successfully used in all disorders of emotions, eating disorders, addictions, ADHD, post-traumatic stress disorder and stress disorders.
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Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) covers and extends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, in particular with mindfulness techniques and meditation techniques. The therapy is called dialectic because it takes up contradictions in human functioning and has developed methods to work constructively with them.
The DBT consists of individually designed therapy and skills training.
In DBT we tackle problems according to their urgency. So first of all, we work on getting the life situation “under control” and then on destabilizing factors or causes. We strive for a dialectical balance: On the one hand, there is acceptance and understanding of the meaning of problematic behaviour in light of individual experiences. On the other hand, there is actively seeking for change through the use of problem-solving skills and other skills necessary for change.
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Skills are trained in the following areas to improve the well-being:
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Mindfulness: Mindfulness is a special form of directing attention. The current content of the experience is given “consciously”, “in the current moment” and “non-judgmental” attention. You learn to perceive your own feelings and to describe what is or is happening. As a result, you become more aware of everyday actions and you can control yourself better. Feeling and understanding come into balance.
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Stress tolerance: You learn skills that work quickly and enable you to endure crises and difficult situations. Emotional tension, stress and dissociations can be brought under control without harming yourself or being damaged by other behaviors. You learn skills that have a preventive effect across all situations and in the long term and help to accept reality. Acceptance is not only important where things cannot be changed, but is the necessary starting point for desired changes.
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Dealing with feelings: You learn to recognize feelings and to understand their meanings and effects. One learns strategies to regulate emotions, reduce emotional suffering and vulnerability, and allow positive feelings to grow.
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Interpersonal skills and problem-solving techniques: Several factors can affect social competence: lack of skills, unfavorable thoughts and attitudes, impairing feelings, or indecision. You learn skills to build and maintain relationships, to appropriately express and implement wishes, goals and opinions and to maintain your self-respect.
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Self-worth: You learn to do something good for yourself and to allow positive thoughts about yourself, i.e. to make friends with yourself
Therapy languages
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German
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English
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Italian