For Therapists

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) was initially developed by Marsha Linehan to help clients that were suicidal or intentionally self-injuring.  However, it has been shown to be effective with other groups including substance abusers.

Once these primary behaviors have been eliminated, therapy-interfering behaviors are targeted.  The DBT skills group teaches specific skills that are to be substituted for the primary or therapy-interfering behaviors. 

One of the most useful aspects of the DBT method is the Diary Card.  Suicidal and self-harm urges are often not spoken of by the client in session.  The Diary Cards make these urges and acts of self-harm explicit. Extinguishing self-harm behavior requires the client substitute DBT skills to regulate affect instead.