Doing Dialectical Behavior Therapy: A Practical Guide

Filled with vivid clinical vignettes and step-by-step descriptions, this book demonstrates the nuts and bolts of dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT). DBT is expressly designed for—and proven effective with—clients with serious, multiple problems and a history of treatment failure. The book provides an accessible introduction to DBT while showing therapists of any orientation how to integrate elements of this evidence-based approach into their work with emotionally dysregulated clients. Experienced DBT clinician and trainer, Kelly Koerner, clearly explains how to formulate individual cases; prioritise treatment goals; and implement a skilfully orchestrated blend of behavioural change strategies, validation strategies, and dialectical strategies.

This book will be helpful to mental health practitioners, including clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, counsellors, and social workers who are working with clients with emotional dysregulation.

This title is part of the Guides to Individualized Evidence-Based Treatment Series, edited by Jacqueline B. Persons.

Table of Contents

Foreword, Marsha M. Linehan

1. Tools for Tough Circumstances
2. Navigating to a Case Formulation and Treatment Plan
3. Change Strategies
4. Validation Principles and Strategies
5. Dialectical Stance and Strategies: Balancing Acceptance and Change
6. Assess, Motivate, and Move: Getting the Most from Each Interaction
7. The Individual Therapist and the Consultation Team

"An incredibly useful book showing you how to work with difficult-to-treat clients. The presentation of DBT is crystal clear and highly practical, including systematic guidelines and concrete examples of actual interactions. I recommend this book to students and to new and advanced mental health practitioners, who will all encounter emotionally dysregulated clients."
- Leslie S. Greenberg, PhD, Distinguished Research Professor, Department of Psychology, York University, Canada

"This superb book finds the true dialectic between sophisticated writing and a 'how-to' approach. It is a 'must' for the shelves of every DBT therapist and those interested in the approach. Koerner is to be commended for this major contribution to the field."
- Perry D. Hoffman, PhD, President, National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder

"Koerner, an expert DBT therapist, has written a hands-on, clinically rich work that provides guidelines for when and how to apply DBT strategies for complex cases. The material is accessible to both experienced clinicians and therapists in training. This book is an invaluable guide and a handy tool kit for working with patients with pervasive emotion dysregulation."
- Stefan G. Hofmann, PhD, Department of Psychology, Boston University