Abstract

GEMPELER, Juanita. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. rev.colomb.psiquiatr. [online]. 2008, vol.37, suppl.1, pp.136-148. ISSN 0034-7450.

Introduction: One of the most interesting developments of the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in the clinical area is the Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Dr. Marsha Linehan (M.D. Psychiatrist) was looking for answers in the treatment of borderline personality disorders (BPD), and ended up designing a treatment program for this condition. It has an integral approach that uses behavioral and cognitive principles, adding oriental Zen elements. It is therefore a Cognitive Behavioral treatment developed and evaluated in women suffering from BPD and with a history of non-fatal suicide attempts. It is a very useful in the treatment of other pathologies, such as anxiety, depression and impulse control disorder, as well as in the management of behavioral diffi culties such as rage and impulsivity. Objective: To present the origin and development of DBT. Development: DBT uses techniques focused on behavioral change, with strategies of acceptance o validation of the actual behavior. This last component is the dialectical one implying that validation and acceptance do NOT excludes change. DBT has four different intervention strategies: nuclear, dialectical, stylistic and case direction. And four intervention modalities: individual therapy, telephone calls, ability group training and case consultation, organized in stages with specifi c treatment goals. Empirical evidence for this clinical approach is revised.

Keywords : Dialectical behavior therapy; borderline personality disorder; behavior change; validation; impulsivity; impulse control.

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