Dialectal behavior therapy (DBT) stems from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and encourages patients to manage negative emotions and decrease conflict within relationships. DBT differs from CBT in that it has four main strategies: core mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness and emotion regulation.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Core mindfulness focuses on the individual’s ability to be present at the moment. Distress tolerance works towards accepting negative emotions rather than trying to push them away. Interpersonal effectiveness teaches individuals to interact with others respectfully and confidently in order to maintain self-respect and build healthy relationships. Emotion regulation helps individuals learn to manage difficult emotions instead of negatively acting upon them.