Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was developed by Marsha Linehan.

DBT is now considered to be the gold standard treatment for borderline personality disorder and an evidenced based treatment for individuals with complex needs. DBT views suicidal behavior as an individual’s attempt to solve a problem that otherwise feels unsolvable. DBT works by helping clients to better understand the factors that are contributing to suicidal and self-injurious behaviors and to identify and use more adaptive problem-solving strategies.

 DBT includes four primary modes of treatment. Clients receive group skills training to learn the DBT skills of mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. In addition, clients receive individual therapy focused on applying the skills and strategies of DBT to help them achieve their specific treatment goals. Clients also receive coaching from their individual therapists between sessions when they need help using DBT skills or for crisis situations. DBT therapists also participate in a therapist consultation team focused on helping them provide the most effective treatment possible.

Models of Delivery

Skills Only Treatment  

Standard DBT Treatment 

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