Dialectical Behavior Therapy reviews the theoretical underpinnings and practice of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), a treatment developed by Marsha Linehan to help complex clients, such as suicidal individuals and those with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and related problems.

DBT has proven to be effective with a range of mental health issues that are often difficult to treat, including nonsuicidal self-harm, substance abuse, and eating disorders. DBT is a behavioral treatment that views emotion dysregulation as being the core of BPD and other disorders. Through regular individual therapy, group sessions, and phone coaching, therapists support clients while challenging them to learn more adaptive behaviors for managing their emotions as well as new life skills. In DBT, therapists also support each other by forming consultation teams.

In addition to reviewing standard DBT, this book describes its applications and adaptations for various populations and settings. Case material demonstrates how to apply all elements of the DBT process in realistic clinical scenarios.

About the Author
Alexander L. Chapman, PhD, R.Psych, is a professor in the psychology department at Simon Fraser University (SFU) and President of the DBT Centre of Vancouver. He studies emotion regulation, borderline personality disorder (BPD), self-injury, and related problems. Dr. Chapman has authored/co-authored over 100 publications, including 12 books and many journal articles. He has received multiple awards, including a Career Investigator Award from the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research and the Dean's Medal for Academic Excellence at SFU. Alex Chapman lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Katherine L. Dixon-Gordon, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and Assistant Professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass). She directs the DBT program at UMass, as well as the Clinical Affective Science Lab, where her team studies emotion regulation, BPD, self-injury, and other risky behaviors. Her research has been funded by several private and federal grants, and resulted in numerous scientific publications. Dr. Dixon-Gordon was named a rising star by the Association for Psychological Science and received an early career award from the National Register of Health Service Psychologists. Katherine Dixon-Gordon lives in Amherst, Massachusetts.


Book Information
ISBN 9781433831454
Author Alexander L. Chapman
Format Paperback
Page Count 224
Imprint American Psychological Association
Publisher American Psychological Association