Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a comprehensive treatment primarily used to support emotional regulation; it operates within a framework of dialectical methods.

DBT, is a specialized treatment for those diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) or who possess BPD traits, is primarily a skills-based treatment pulling from 4 domains: mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance, and emotion regulation. While these concepts are not new and can stand alone, Marsha Linehan, has been able to pull behavioural techniques from these domains and package them in a way that is practical and digestible. Her focus is directed at people who struggle with intense emotions, especially anger, unstable relationships, addiction or other challenging behaviours.

Dialectical refers to the processes that bring opposite concepts together such as change and acceptance, love and hate, good and bad. Since individuals with BPD or BPD traits struggle with holding dual concepts, DBT invites the individual to be open to the possibility that both thoughts may be true.