What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is one of the most effective treatments available for people who are chronically suicidal or engage in self-harm or other high-risk behaviors.

DBT is based on an integration of Western cognitive behavioral therapy with Eastern contemplative practice. The therapy was originally created to treat people with borderline personality disorder in a typical outpatient setting. Because of its great therapeutic success, it is now used to treat a variety of mental health conditions in a wide range of settings.

Alta Bates Summit Medical Center offers this powerful therapy through its partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs at the Herrick Campus. These programs offer day treatment mental health services to people who need more care than what is provided in most traditional outpatient settings.

Who Benefits from DBT?

Most people referred to our program have tried other treatment approaches with little success. They may be struggling with a variety of issues related to mood, relationships, identity or behavior. Our program offers a compassionate and structured treatment path to help with these issues.

What Is Full Color Living?

Our DBT program is called Full Color Living because it helps people create balanced and vibrant lives that they feel are worth living.

Participants are taught practical skills to help them tolerate challenging times, navigate relationships, manage emotions and develop mindfulness. One of the key therapeutic principles involves accepting life's hardships while simultaneously working to change circumstances.

Patients participate in skills-based groups throughout the day. They also have individual sessions with DBT-trained therapists and psychiatrists. The program has a strong commitment to the original model of DBT, as created by Marsha Linehan, Ph.D.

People in the Full Color Living program begin at the partial hospitalization level of care (five days per week). As patients stabilize, they transition to the intensive outpatient level of care (three days per week). From there, they move to treatment in the community.