Dialectical behavioral therapy was created after cognitive behavioral therapy to address some of the issues some patients had with the CBT form of psychotherapy. Originally, dialectical behavior therapy was used with patients with personality disorders and mood disorders to help them with their negative, destructive, self-defeating behaviors, and work with them on creating a positive image with sustainable new skills.
Patients undergoing dialectical behavioral therapy work with a therapist as an ally. The therapist doesn’t always challenge the beliefs of the client and instead validates these emotions and feelings. This method causes the client to feel that their coping strategies to deal with stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma were useful at the time. With the therapist, the client works to develop positive behaviors and coping strategies to use to combat stress and trauma and live a more positive, fulfilling life.
