Homework is then shared at the beginning of each Group Skills session. The group process (Group Skills) is unlike traditional models of group psychotherapy in that it is run more like a tutorial whereby participants are taught a new set of skills each week and then given homework to complete during the week. As a group, participants are introduced to new coping strategies (DBT ‘Skills’) and undergo extensive psychoeducation to develop emotional literacy, insight and awareness. Through a process of weekly individual therapy and group therapy participants are helped to identify negative self-beliefs, opinions and assumptions that contribute to negative mood states and ineffective behaviour and unhealthy coping. The underlying theory within DBT maintains that by working toward resolution (or synthesis) of dialectical dilemmas occurring within ourselves, we can achieve personal growth and understanding and reduce psychological suffering. The basic definition of dialectics is the process by which two or more people with opposing views seek to establish the truth of a subject through reasoned argument. DBT works from the premise that by accepting a person’s individual personality and defining characteristics, the therapist and participant can work together to change maladaptive coping mechanisms and behaviours that make life difficult and unmanageable. Initially DBT was used to treat highly suicidal patients with severe emotion dysregulation and self-harming behaviours, but has now gained considerable evidence for other mental health issues related to eating disorders, mood disorders and anxiety disorders.Īt its core DBT attempts to balance the opposing forces of acceptance and change, to help people suffering with psychological illness build a life worth living. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) was developed by Dr Marsha Linehan a psychologist from the University of Washington.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |