Teaching Mindfulness Skills in DBT

Abstract

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) differs from other approaches by teaching mindfulness as a set of skills. In contrast to mindfulness-based therapies such as Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), DBT makes a distinction between observe, describe, and participate (the “What Skills”) and teaches each as a separate skill. DBT makes explicit the way in which these skills are practised, i.e. non-judgementally, one-mindfully, and effectively (the “How Skills”). In addition, the skill of “Wise Mind” teaches the client how to make decisions and choices that provide a synthesis of both logical and emotional perspectives. Mindfulness skills are acquired in skills group, strengthened in individual therapy, and generalized via phone contact. Thus, the chapter is organized around these three modes of delivering therapy. Client examples and scenarios demonstrate the process and strategies used with attention to overcoming challenges that can arise when teaching these skills.

Mindfulness as taught in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy: A scoping review

“…It is of interest that accepting without judgement and non‐reactivity seem to play a role in the mechanism of change. As the mindfulness in DBT is focussed on awareness and acceptance of emotional states (Stanton & Dunkley, 2019 ) as opposed to thought diffusion (ACT) or insight (MBCT), it seems that the DBT mindfulness interventions are eliciting change in line with the theoretical mechanisms of change. More research would be necessary to establish the potency and application of each facet of mindfulness to allow DBT practitioners to tailor the application of mindfulness accordingly, based on the relative effectiveness of the constituent parts.…”

“…DBT was developed specifically to treat Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) as defined by DSM IV (American Psychiatric Association, 2013 ). DBT incorporates mindfulness as a key component of change, with an emphasis on awareness and acceptance (Stanton & Dunkley, 2019 ). Mindfulness in DBT is taught as a set of skills (Linehan, 2015 ).…”