Pros and Cons of DBT | CONCEPT Professional Training

Pros and Cons of DBT Therapy

Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) helps individuals tolerate and regulate their emotions.
It comprises behavior therapy, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), and mindfulness.
For more information, see our post “What is DBT and how does it work?”

Certified DBT mental health professionals offer acceptance and support to individuals in therapy.
Many clients who benefit from DBT are often considered “difficult to treat.” People often wonder,
what are the advantages and disadvantages of DBT? Learn whether DBT is suitable for you
by reviewing some of the advantages and disadvantages listed below!

In This Post

Benefits of DBT
Criticisms of Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Benefits of DBT

- DBT is evidence-based. It goes beyond mental health illness and improves individuals’ quality of life.
It reduces anxiety, depression, trauma, and stress symptoms and decreases suicidal and self-harming thoughts and behaviors.

- Increases consumers’ self-worth and self-respect.

- Consumers can access their DBT clinician in the moment when they are struggling.

- The group component of DBT allows consumers to learn and practice skills in a safe and supportive environment.

- Researchers have found that the effectiveness of DBT is far-reaching and generalize to clients of various ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, and race/ethnicities.

- DBT has been adapted for various populations, mental health problems, and settings; including, psychosis, mania, substance use, eating disorders, adolescents, and forensic settings, to name a few!

- DBT incorporates Zen Buddhist mindfulness practices, which may be appealing to consumers who want to work toward spiritual fulfillment.

- DBT teaches consumers that thinking is dialectical, not “right” or “wrong,” evaluating and integrating contradictory ideas.

Criticisms of Dialectical Behavior Therapy

- DBT requires a significant time commitment (from the consumer and the clinician).

- There are many skills in DBT, which may be overwhelming. As a result, consumers who may benefit from it may find it overly complex and unwilling to try.

- DBT involves homework that may not be well suited for everyone.

- DBT is structured and has strict boundaries that must be set and followed.

- There is no formal trauma processing in DBT, which may be a necessary component of treatment for some clients to recover from a traumatic experience(s) entirely.

- Certain facets of DBT are derived from Eastern religious philosophies; therefore, some clients whose religious values are Western (e.g., Christianity, Judaism, and Islam) may object to Zen Buddhist teachings.

- DBT clinicians must be highly trained mental health professionals as there is the possibility for increased risky behavior throughout treatment.

For more information, see our post What is DBT and How Does It Work? or visit the next blog in our DBT series Radical Acceptance with DBT.