Dialectical Behaviour Therapy in Ireland

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a treatment programme aimed at helping people with ongoing difficulties to manage intense emotions. Problems in regulating emotions can lead to considerable mental health difficulties such as increased risk of clinical depression, anxiety, deliberate self-harm and suicide and DBT teaches people skills to deal with their intense emotions.

DBT is an evidence based treatment which is typically provided within Community Mental Health Services in Ireland. Individuals referred to DBT programmes may have received a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) or Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD). Emotion dysregulation is the core feature of these presentations. Emotion dysregulation often results in other forms of dysregulation including behaviour, cognitive, self, and interpersonal dysregulation.

DBT was originally developed by Marsha Linehan, Ph.D. in 1993, as an alternative treatment for individuals for whom other therapies may not have been effective. More than 20 years of worldwide research have supported this approach. Over time, DBT has been adapted to treat a range of disorders with similar difficulties such as eating disorders and substance dependence.