Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsComponentsConditions TreatedWhat to ExpectDBT vs. CBTFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Components
Conditions Treated
What to Expect
DBT vs. CBT
Frequently Asked Questions
Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) is a type of psychotherapy, ortalk therapy. DBT was originally developed to treat people withborderline personality disorderwho have ongoing struggles with suicidal thoughts.However, this type of therapy is now used to treat people with a variety of mental health conditions.
This article discusses the key components ofDBT, conditions treated with this type of therapy, and its effectiveness.
SDI Productions / Getty Images
What Are the Components of DBT?
Dialectical behavioral therapy often has four main components: individual therapy, skills training group, phone coaching, and the therapist consultation team.
There are also individual therapists who provide DBT-oriented therapy without groups and phone coaching, but they teach and practice the skills within individual sessions.
Individual Therapy
DBT individual therapy sessions are typically once per week for an hour each time. The goal of individual therapy is helping the client apply the skills learned in skills training group to current situations and challenges in daily life.
DBT Skills Training Group
Skills training group is similar to a classroom environment in which clients are taught specific skills to help cope with daily life. Group sessions are often 2.5 hours per week, and the full program and coursework is 24 weeks long. Skills taught in these training groups include:
Phone Coaching
Therapist Consultation Team
What Conditions Does DBT Treat and Is It Effective?
DBT is typically used for individuals who have multiple mental health issues. DBT was originally designed for a very specific patient population—women with borderline personality disorder who had ongoing suicidal thoughts andself-harmbehaviors. In this population, DBT was found to be very effective.
Use of DBT has expanded to successfully treat borderline personality disorder withsubstance use issues,binge eating disorder, otherpersonality disorders, anddepression.
DBT treatment is often broken down into four stages, as well as a “pretreatment” stage.Clients can work through stages in order, or they may need to return to previous stages to work through specific issues that come up during treatment.
How Do I Find a DBT Therapist?
Signs of Repressed Childhood Trauma in Adulthood
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy vs. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
DBT is different fromcognitive behavioral therapy(CBT)—a commonly used type of psychotherapy that focuses on identifying negative thinking patterns and changing unwanted behaviors.The main component of CBT is individual therapy sessions. “Homework” is often assigned to help clients practice new skills outside their treatment sessions.
The primary focus of DBT is learning coping strategies moving forward in life, rather than spending a lot of time discussing past events that led up to current issues.
Summary
Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) is a type of psychotherapy that is primarily used to treat individuals with multiple mental health conditions, including borderline personality disorder. DBT has four main components, including individual therapy, skills training group, phone coaching, and a therapist consultation team. DBT has been shown to be an effective therapy, but more research is needed.
A Word From Verywell
It’s difficult to know whattype of therapyis best for you. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are considering dialectical behavioral therapy and they can help you determine if it’s a good fit.
Keep in mind that just because you start a certain mode of therapy doesn’t mean you have to stick to that type. You may have to work with multiple therapists and try out a few methods before finding what helps you the most.
Choosing the Right Therapist
Frequently Asked QuestionsDBT is used to treat borderline personality disorders, as well as some eating disorders, and depression.DBT progresses in stages, and results vary from person to person. However, many people begin to see changes in harmful behaviors during the first stage of treatment.DBT is designed to treat specific mental health conditions. Consult your provider to determine whether DBT is an appropriate treatment for your condition.Different health insurance plans vary significantly in services covered. DBT therapy can be included under mental health services that some insurance plans provide.Learn MoreDoes Insurance Cover Therapy?
DBT is used to treat borderline personality disorders, as well as some eating disorders, and depression.
DBT progresses in stages, and results vary from person to person. However, many people begin to see changes in harmful behaviors during the first stage of treatment.
DBT is designed to treat specific mental health conditions. Consult your provider to determine whether DBT is an appropriate treatment for your condition.
Different health insurance plans vary significantly in services covered. DBT therapy can be included under mental health services that some insurance plans provide.Learn MoreDoes Insurance Cover Therapy?
Different health insurance plans vary significantly in services covered. DBT therapy can be included under mental health services that some insurance plans provide.
Learn MoreDoes Insurance Cover Therapy?
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.University of Washington Center for Behavioral Technology.Dialectical behavioral therapy.Behavioral Tech.What is dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)?.American Psychological Association.Dialectical behavior therapy: Description, research, and future directions.Psychotherapy Academy.The 4 stages and targets of DBT treatment.Psychology Today.Find a dialectical (DBT) therapist.American Psychological Association.What is cognitive behavioral therapy?.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.University of Washington Center for Behavioral Technology.Dialectical behavioral therapy.Behavioral Tech.What is dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)?.American Psychological Association.Dialectical behavior therapy: Description, research, and future directions.Psychotherapy Academy.The 4 stages and targets of DBT treatment.Psychology Today.Find a dialectical (DBT) therapist.American Psychological Association.What is cognitive behavioral therapy?.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
University of Washington Center for Behavioral Technology.Dialectical behavioral therapy.Behavioral Tech.What is dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)?.American Psychological Association.Dialectical behavior therapy: Description, research, and future directions.Psychotherapy Academy.The 4 stages and targets of DBT treatment.Psychology Today.Find a dialectical (DBT) therapist.American Psychological Association.What is cognitive behavioral therapy?.
University of Washington Center for Behavioral Technology.Dialectical behavioral therapy.
Behavioral Tech.What is dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)?.
American Psychological Association.Dialectical behavior therapy: Description, research, and future directions.
Psychotherapy Academy.The 4 stages and targets of DBT treatment.
Psychology Today.Find a dialectical (DBT) therapist.
American Psychological Association.What is cognitive behavioral therapy?.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
