Dialectical Behavior Therapy

 Dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, is a type of psychotherapy that teaches group skills and strategies to help people learn what they need to create a life that they will be able to truly experience and be satisfied in. It was developed by Marsha Lineman, who used it initially for those who had bi-polar disorder, and it now can be used by the majority of the population for other disorders. Essentially, the therapy gives the person new skills that they can use to help manage painful emotions, and decrease relationship conflicts.

Four key elements are focused on in DBT, and they are as follows:

• Mindfulness, which focuses on improving the ability to accept and be present within the moment
• Distress tolerance: this is geared towards increasing the tolerance for negative emotion, rather than trying to escape it
• Emotional regulation: a means and strategy used to manage and change intense emotions that are creating a problem in a person's life
• Interpersonal effectiveness: techniques that allow someone to communicate with others in a way that's assertive, allows for self-respect to be maintained, and strengthens the relationship

 It can help treat those that experience depression, binge-eating, bulimia, PTSD, bipolar disorder, or any form of substance abuse. DBT skills are thought to help improve and regulate emotions, allowing for more tolerance of distress and negative emotion, allowing the person to be mindful and present within the moment, improving communication, and the ability to interact with others.