The Inherent Self-Contradiction of DBT

When Dr. Marsha Linehan introduced Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) in the late ‘80s, it was a lifeline for people dealing with emotional turbulence, especially those with borderline personality disorder (BPD)...

Acceptance vs. Change: The Core Dilemma

DBT thrives on the tension between acceptance and change. Clients are taught to accept their emotions without judgment, but they’re also guided to shift their actions—especially when those actions are damaging...

The Fine Line Between Validation and Reinforcement

Validation is a key element of DBT, especially for people who often feel misunderstood or dismissed...

Crisis Survival Skills: Necessary or Counterproductive?

DBT provides “crisis survival skills” to help people manage intense emotions without resorting to harmful habits...

Reinforcement: A Trap in the DBT Structure?

Reinforcement is central to behavior change, but when DBT validates harmful behaviors, it risks reinforcing them...

The Paradox of DBT: A Call for Refinement?

In theory, DBT’s blend of acceptance and change is a powerful tool. But in practice, its contradictions raise important questions...