Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a treatment that was originally developed for highly suicidal individuals who did not benefit from standard treatments, but later, it evolved into a treatment for complex, multidiagnostic individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD). DBT is based on change-based principles derived from behavioral science, acceptance-based principles derived from Zen and contemplative practice, and dialectical philosophy. Standard DBT is comprehensive, involving four modes: (1) individual therapy, (2) skills training, (3) 24-hour phone consultation, and (4) DBT consultation team meetings for therapists. Ancillary treatments (e.g., pharmacotherapy and case management) are also part of the comprehensive model.