What is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and What original psychological principles is it based on?

Focus on dialectics and the balance of acceptance and change are crucial elements of the DBT process (Linehan , 1993b

Dialectics

Although DBT has similarities to standard cognitive and behavioral techniques , it also has many defining characteristics that make it a unique treatment . It is important to review the key elements of DBT in to extend its application to a population such as BPD . For example , DBT emphasizes dialectics . Dialectics can be described as the "reconciliation of opposites in a continual process of synthesis (Linehan , 1993a ,

. 19 . It stresses "interrelatedness and wholeness

br parts of a system is of limited value unless the analysis clearly relates the part to the whole (Linehan , 1993a ,

. 19

DBT therapists work with clients to examine a more global meaning to what had previously been polarized as extreme ideas or thoughts . Linehan stated that the most fundamental dialectic is the necessity of accepting patients as they are within a context of trying to teach them to change Linehan continued by stating that "reality is not static , but is comprised of internal opposing forces , thesis and antithesis , out of whose integration (synthesis ) evolves a new set of opposing forces (Linehan , 1993a ,

. 19

Linehan described how although dialectics focus on the whole , they also emphasize how complex the whole can be , including the oppositions they contain . With this notion in mind , DBT places an emphasis on acceptance as a balance to change (Linehan , 1993a . DBT therefore focuses on accepting the client for who he or she is in the moment , while also working toward more effective behaviors and ways of interacting with one 's present experience and the environment

In addition , DBT emphasizes the necessity of teaching clients to accept themselves and their world as they are in the moment . Linehan discussed how this unique strategy...