Dialectical Behavior Therapy Research Paper 2022

Running head: DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOR THERAPY 1
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Name
Institutional Affiliation
Date

DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOR THERAPY 2
Introduction
Dialectical behavior therapy is a treatment approach first designed to manage borderline
personality disorder. The therapy can also be used in the treatment of other mental problems,
such as depression, suicidal ideation, as well as mood disorders among other disorders. DBT
provides individuals with skills necessary to handle negative emotions and reduce conflict in
relationships (Ivey, Ivey & Zalaquett, 2016). The therapy enables people to regulate their
emotions by equipping them with coping skills. The following paper is based on a critical
analysis of dialectical behavior therapy (Carmel et al., 2016). Besides, the paper will highlight
the strengths and limitations of the treatment approach. The racial, cultural, religious, and gender
sensitivity required on the part of the therapist will also be discussed. Furthermore, the paper will
provide a discussion of the implications of the approach to future mental health practice.
Therapeutic Strengths and Limitations of Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Strengths
One of the strengths of DBT is that it is a practical treatment approach for BPD. BPD is a
severe psychiatric problem that was difficult to manage before the introduction of DBT (Ivey,
Ivey & Zalaquett, 2016). Besides, the therapy is well-received by individuals, and treatment
compliance is high among the clients with BPD. Hence, clients presenting to therapists with BPD
can be managed successfully using the DBT. To illustrate this, a group of researchers performed
a clinical trial study to determine the effectiveness of DBT in managing BPD (Wetterborg et al.,
2018). Thirty men with BPD and antisocial behavior participated in the study during which the
researchers evaluated 12 months of DBT. The researchers found out that DBT was effective in
decreasing the risk of negative behaviors associated with BPD which included criminal insults,
aggression, and self-harm. The risk of negative behaviors was reduced by 60% after the therapy.

DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOR THERAPY 3
(Wetterborg et al., 2018). Manifestations related with depression and BPD were significantly
reduced. The researchers concluded that DBT is an effective treatment approach for BPD.
Furthermore, therapy is used in managing key problematic behaviors.
Besides, DBT enhances clients’ ability to accept the current situation. Also, the clients’
tolerance of negative emotions is improved instead of them trying to avoid it (Carmel et al.,
2016). The clients are also equipped with skills of managing intense feelings that have result in
problems in individuals’ lives. The therapy also enables clients to communicate effectively by
focusing on self-respect and assertiveness.
DBT is effective in the management of severe mental health disorders including
suicidality, self-harm, posttraumatic stress, BPD as well as depression among other disorders. To
illustrate this, studies have proved that DBT sessions provided for one year reduce chances of
self-harm among clients at a higher rate when compared to other modalities (Corey, Corey &
Corey, 2016). Furthermore, a study revealed that DBT decreases risks of committing suicide by
50% among clients, which is a higher rate when compared to other approaches. Another study
performed by a group of researchers aimed to determine the effectiveness of DBT in managing
PTSD (Steil et al., 2018). Twenty-one women who experienced PTSD after sexual harassment
participated in the study. The study revealed that the percentage of women presenting with self-
harming behavior reduced from 72% to 15.6% (Steil et al., 2018). The researchers concluded that
DBT is effective in decreasing symptoms that arise due to PTSD. Furthermore, therapy is used in
managing key problematic behaviors. Therapists use motivational improvement skills to
decrease problematic behaviors that may adversely influence the quality of life (Chen et al.,
2015). During the therapy sessions, counselors ask clients to have diary cards filed every week as
a way of encouraging self-monitoring preventing tendencies of self-destructive behaviors.

DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOR THERAPY 4
In addition, counselors who provide DBT receive support and motivation from their team
of therapists. This is achieved thoroughly weekly meetings during which the counselor’s
challenges are addressed to prevent burnout (Winter et al., 2017). In most cases, it is exhausting
to manage clients with BPD and other severe mental health problems hence creating the need for
the motivation of the counselor.
Limitations
Dialectical behavior therapy is useful in the management of severe mental health
disorders. However, the treatment approach has some limitations that affect the desired outcomes
(Coyle, Shaver & Linehan, 2018). For instance, DBT needs to be provided alongside
pharmacological treatment to improve the management of certain disorders such as anxiety and
depression as well as enhancing compliance.
Additionally, the efficacy of DBT may not last long. In some instances, the desired effects
get weaker six months after treatment (Linehan et al., 2015). The desired results fade over time,
which creates the need for clients to receive maintenance management to avoid relapse. Hence,
clients will be required to attend other sessions some months after the scheduled therapy.
Moreover, the provision of DBT is expensive because individuals are needed to go for
therapy sessions every week for several months. Also, the need to see a therapist every week
requires the clients to spend a lot of time. Besides, the therapy is very demanding as clients are
required to participate in two separate sessions, including group therapy for two hours and
individual therapy for one hour (DeCou, Comtois & Landes, 2019). In addition to that, the
therapist assigns homework to the clients every week for several months. The counselor is also
required to be available every day to provide emergency therapy.