Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) is a therapeutic approach developed by Marsha M. Linehan, psychology researcher at the University of Washington, to treat persons with borderline personality disorder. DBT combines standard cognitive behavioral therapies with concepts of mindful awareness, distress tolerance and acceptance, largely derived from Buddhist meditative practice. It is the first therapy that has been experimentally demonstrated to be effective in treating borderline personality disorder. Research indicates that DBT also is effective in treating patients who have symptoms and behaviors associated with mood disorders such as self-injury.

All DBT therapy programs involve two components: an individual therapy and group therapy. Neither component is used by itself. Mindfulness is one of the core concepts underlying all elements of DBT. Mindfulness is the capacity to pay attention, nonjudgmentally, to the present moment. It is considered a foundation for the other skills, taught in DBT, because it helps individuals accept and tolerate the powerful emotions they may feel when the process of challenging their habits exposes themselves to upsetting situations.

The basics of DBT also include interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance. DBT can be used in combination with medical treatments.

Because the practice of mindfulness is an essential component of DBT, Yoga therapy is complementary and can support and improve patient outcomes.

Healing Pathways offers therapeutic instruction in the Viniyoga and iRest <link to 4.2 CAM approaches>methods of mindfulness.

Healing Pathways also has expertise in pharmacotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), hypnotherapy, family therapy, applied behavior analysis, and art therapy.

Healing Pathways: Your road to contentment begins here.