Updated: September 14, 2020 | Original Post: August 21, 2019

DBT (Dialectical Behavioural Therapy) was created by Dr. Marsha Linehan originally to treat patients who were diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). I find that it is also a great tool for helping children and teens lower their anxiety and depression symptoms.

What I like is how aspects of DBT fit really well into my therapy style and are normally easily understandable by my clients. Life can throw a lot of situations at us that lead to negative emotions. DBT helps people accept their emotions (a mindfulness approach), increase their tolerance of distress, and learn to regulate their emotions. It helps people to accept their feelings and behaviours while also looking for ways to change them. Combined with CBT (see my posts from last week) and mindfulness (you can either read about or watch a video on mindfulness) DBT can be a powerful therapeutic tool.