Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Skills for Emotional Regulation

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was originally developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan for treating borderline personality disorder, but has since been found effective for many other conditions including depression, eating disorders, and substance use. DBT combines cognitive behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices and acceptance strategies. The 'dialectical' in DBT refers to balancing acceptance and change — learning to accept yourself as you are while also working to change unhelpful behaviors. DBT teaches four core skill sets: mindfulness (staying present), distress tolerance (surviving crises without making things worse), emotion regulation (understanding and managing intense emotions), and interpersonal effectiveness (communicating needs while maintaining relationships). DBT can be delivered individually, in group skills training, or both.