Principles of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Published by Latrina Walden

  • January 22, 2025
  • 08:50

Latrina Walden

Founder & CEO of LWES | MSN, MHA, FNP-C, FNP-BC, PMHNP

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Meet The Author

Latrina Walden

Latrina is the Founder & CEO of Latrina Walden Exam Solutions (LWES). Her background is in creating a NP Academy that supports and educates current and future nurses through an Academy.
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Table of Contents

    4 Principles of DBT

    Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is guided by four core principles: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.

    These principles help individuals cultivate present-moment awareness, manage stress, regulate emotions, and build stronger interpersonal relationships, promoting healthier behaviors in everyday life.

    Similar to certain types of group therapy, DBT incorporates collaborative learning and skill-building, particularly in its group skills training sessions, which emphasize shared growth and support.

    Mindfulness

    Mindfulness is the foundation of DBT and involves the practice of being fully present in the moment. This principle teaches individuals to focus their attention on the here and now rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. Mindfulness also encourages observing thoughts and feelings without judgment, allowing individuals to respond to situations with clarity and calmness instead of reacting impulsively. Similar to CBT and ACT, it helps foster self-awareness and acceptance, enabling individuals to understand their emotional experiences more deeply.

    Distress Tolerance

    Distress tolerance equips individuals with the skills to navigate intense or overwhelming emotions without resorting to harmful or destructive behaviors. This principle emphasizes the ability to "ride out" emotional storms and handle crises in a healthier way. Techniques like distraction, self-soothing, and radical acceptance are introduced, helping individuals manage situations they cannot immediately change. By building tolerance for distress, individuals become more resilient and better equipped to face life's challenges.

    Interpersonal Effectiveness

    Interpersonal effectiveness focuses on enhancing communication and relationship skills. It helps individuals express their needs clearly, set boundaries, and assert themselves while maintaining respect for others. This principle also involves learning to navigate conflicts, negotiate solutions, and sustain positive relationships. By improving interpersonal skills, individuals can build stronger connections and reduce misunderstandings or relational stress.

    Emotion Regulation

    Emotion regulation teaches individuals to identify, understand, and manage their emotions constructively. This principle involves learning to recognize emotional triggers, reduce the intensity of negative emotions, and cultivate positive experiences. Skills like opposite action, building mastery, and creating a balanced emotional life are introduced to help individuals regain control over their emotional responses. By regulating emotions, individuals can make more thoughtful decisions and reduce the impact of intense feelings on their behavior.

    7 Assumptions of DBT

    The seven key assumptions of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) include:

    • people are doing the best they can,
    • people want to improve,
    • people need to learn new behaviors in relevant contexts,
    • people may not have caused all their problems but need to solve them,
    • validation is important,
    • radical acceptance is necessary,
    • and change is possible through skill development

    People are doing the best they can

    This principle recognizes that individuals are not deliberately undermining themselves but are acting based on their current abilities, circumstances, and knowledge.

    People want to improve

    DBT operates on the assumption that those seeking therapy have an inherent desire to make positive changes and enhance their quality of life.

    People need to learn new behaviors in relevant contexts

    Lasting change is achieved by teaching practical skills that individuals can apply directly to real-world situations, helping them navigate challenges effectively.

    People may not have caused all their problems, but they need to solve them

    While individuals may not be responsible for creating their difficulties, DBT emphasizes taking ownership and proactive steps to address and resolve them.

    Validation is important

    Acknowledging and validating a client’s emotions and experiences is crucial in building trust, fostering self-acceptance, and creating a supportive therapeutic environment.

    Radical acceptance is necessary

    Accepting realities that cannot be changed is a cornerstone of DBT, allowing individuals to shift their focus to areas within their control and move forward constructively.

    Change is possible through skill development

    DBT highlights that with the right tools, individuals can develop the skills needed to regulate emotions, handle distress, and build healthier relationships, making meaningful change attainable.

    DBT Techniques

    Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) uses four main skill areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness, to help individuals develop emotional resilience, cope with stress, and improve interpersonal relationships.

    Mindfulness Practices

    Mindfulness is a cornerstone of DBT, focusing on increasing awareness and presence in the moment.

    Observing thoughts and feelings without judgment

    This involves noticing internal experiences without labeling them as good or bad, fostering acceptance and clarity.

    Describing experiences in the present moment

    Mindfulness encourages individuals to articulate what they observe, grounding themselves in the here and now.

    Participating fully in current activities

    Engagement in the present moment allows individuals to focus on what’s in front of them, reducing distractions and promoting connection.

    Distress Tolerance Skills

    Distress tolerance equips individuals to endure emotional pain and difficult situations without making them worse.

    Distraction techniques

    Shifting focus to other activities or thoughts can help reduce the intensity of distressing emotions.

    Self-soothing activities

    Engaging the senses, such as listening to music or taking a warm bath, provides comfort during times of stress.

    Identifying pros and cons of a situation

    Evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of actions can aid in making informed, balanced decisions.

    Accepting reality as it is

    Radical acceptance helps individuals acknowledge unchangeable situations, reducing resistance and emotional suffering.

    Emotion Regulation Skills

    Emotion regulation focuses on understanding, managing, and reducing vulnerability to intense emotions.

    Identifying and labeling emotions

    Recognizing and naming emotions creates a foundation for managing them effectively.

    Understanding triggers for emotional responses

    Learning what prompts emotional reactions can empower individuals to prepare for or mitigate their impact.

    Developing strategies to manage intense emotions

    Techniques like deep breathing, thought reframing, or grounding exercises help reduce emotional overwhelm.

    Reducing emotional vulnerability

    Building resilience through self-care, healthy habits, and balanced living decreases susceptibility to negative emotions.

    Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills

    These skills enhance communication, strengthen relationships, and address interpersonal conflicts constructively.

    Assertive communication

    Expressing needs and feelings clearly and respectfully promotes understanding and reduces conflict.

    Setting clear boundaries

    Establishing limits ensures personal well-being while fostering mutual respect in relationships.

    Balancing needs with others' needs

    Learning to prioritize one’s own needs while considering others’ perspectives supports healthy relationships.

    Active listening

    Being fully present and attentive when others speak fosters trust and deepens connections.

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