What is DBT?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy developed by Marsha Linehan, PhD for treating patients diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Dr. Linehan developed DBT by modifying certain key components associated with traditional cognitive therapy. In Dr. Linehan’s view, the emotional dysregulation associated with borderline personality disorders is largely derived from a combination of biological factors and destabilizing early childhood environments. DBT helps the patient to learn and assimilate new skills that have been found to significantly reduce maladaptive reactions to extreme emotions.