What is DBT?

Origin

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidenced-based treatment published in 1993 by Marsha Linehan, Ph.D. DBT was originally developed to treat chronically suicidal adult females who were diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD), which is characterized by intense shifts in emotional and behavioral extremes. Now, DBT is considered the gold standard for treating this population; research shows that participants meeting criteria for BPD at the beginning of studies no longer meet criteria after one year of treatment. More information on DBT can be found on the Behavioral Tech, LLC website.

Adaptations

Research has shown that therapists utilizing DBT can be successful in treating a variety of other mental health diagnoses, including but not limited to depressive disorders, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and binge eating disorder.  Additionally, specific adaptations of DBT have been developed by researchers to assist certain populations. These populations include adolescents and their families, children, individuals with post-traumatic stress symptoms, substance use, and disorders characterized by excessive self-control (often referred to as overcontrol). To learn more about the programs and adaptations offered by therapists within the Greenville DBT Collective, please visit the “Our Programs” page.

Therapy Process

The comprehensive DBT provided by our therapists involves four evidenced-based components. These include weekly individual therapy, weekly skills training classes, coaching calls as needed, and weekly DBT consultation team. All clients receiving services from therapists in the Greenville DBT Collective are expected to participate in each component that requires client involvement.