Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is widely used to support individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD), helping them build a meaningful life despite chronic and pervasive challenges. Originally developed for individuals with chronic self-injury and parasuicidal behavior, DBT provides a corrective experience through weekly sessions aimed at improving interpersonal skills and reducing self-destructive tendencies. Techniques such as advice, metaphors, storytelling, and confrontation are employed to reshape behavior. DBT assumes all behaviors are learned and often reinforced, even maladaptive ones. Its five essential functions include:

• • Enhancing Skillful Behaviors: Helping patients develop and expand adaptive skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness
  • Improving Motivation: Reducing reinforcement of harmful behaviors to encourage positive change and sustainable growth.
  • Generalizing Skills: Ensuring patients can apply newly learned behaviors across different environments and situations.
  • Structuring the Environment: Creating settings that reinforce effective, healthy behaviors while discouraging maladaptive ones.
  • Therapist Motivation and Capability: Supporting therapists with tools and strategies to remain effective, engaged, and capable in guiding patients.