The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook: Practical Dbt Exercises for Learning Mindfulness, Interpersonal Effectiveness, Emotion Regulation, and Distress Tolerance

A Clear and Effective Approach to Learning DBT Skills

First developed for treating borderline personality disorder, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) has proven effective as treatment for a range of other mental health problems, especially for those characterized by overwhelming emotions. Research shows that DBT can improve your ability to handle distress without losing control and acting destructively. In order to make use of these techniques, you need to build skills in four key areas-distress tolerance, mindfulness, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.

The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook, a collaborative effort from three esteemed authors, offers straightforward, step-by-step exercises for learning these concepts and putting them to work for real and lasting change. Start by working on the introductory exercises and, after making progress, move on to the advanced-skills chapters. Whether you are a professional or a general reader, whether you use this book to support work done in therapy or as the basis for self-help, you'll benefit from this clear and practical guide to better managing your emotions.

This book has been awarded The Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Self-Help Seal of Merit — an award bestowed on outstanding self-help books that are consistent with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) principles and that incorporate scientifically tested strategies for overcoming mental health difficulties. Used alone or in conjunction with therapy, our books offer powerful tools readers can use to jump-start changes in their lives.

Find more help online at cbt-self-help-therapy.com. CBT Self-Help Therapy offers web-based treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD) and emotion dysregulation based on the book The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook. This interactive program can be used by clients working on their own, or their therapists can monitor their work on the secure server. Other modules in CBT Self-Help Therapy offer treatment for stress, anxiety, depression, and anger.

First developed for treating borderline personality disorder, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) has proven effective as treatment for a range of other mental health problems, especially for those characterized by out-of-control emotions. Tens of thousands of individuals around the world are receiving DBT or participating in DBT-based support groups, yet to date there are few resources available that are accessible enough for interested individuals to teach themselves the core DBT skills.

This book, a collaborative effort from four of New Harbinger's most esteemed authors, fills a conspicuous gap in the DBT literature. It offers general readers and professionals alike straightforward, step-by-step exercises for learning and putting into practice the four core DBT skills: mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance. Whether used to support work done in therapy or as the basis for self-help, this workbook will bring DBT to readers with unrivaled clarity and effectiveness.

Matthew McKay, Ph.D., is the clinical director of Haight Ashbury Psychological Services in San Francisco, CA, and a professor at the Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA. He is coauthor of The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook, Thoughts and Feelings, Messages, Self-Esteem, and others. His books combined have sold more than 2 million copies. He received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology. In private practice, he specializes in the cognitive behavioral treatment of anxiety, anger, and depression.

Jeffrey C. Wood, Psy.D., lives and works in the San Francisco Bay Area. He specializes in cognitive behavioral treatments for depression, anxiety, and trauma, as well as assertiveness and life-skills coaching. He is author of Getting Help.

Jeffrey Brantley, MD, is a consulting associate in the Duke Department of Psychiatry and the founder and director of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program at Duke University's Center for Integrative Medicine. He has represented the Duke MBSR program in numerous radio, television and print interviews. He is the best-selling author of Calming Your Anxious Mind and coauthor of Five Good Minutes: 100 Morning Practices to Help You Stay Calm and Focused All Day Long.

Thomas Marra, Ph.D., founded and directed one of the first inpatient psychiatric programs using dialectic behavior therapy as the clinical focus of treatment for every patient admitted to the facility, regardless of diagnosis. He has practical and theoretical experience in treating a wide patient population using the principles and strategiesof DBT. He has been practicing clinical psychology for 25 years, first as a military psychologist in both inpatient and outpatient settings, then in civilian settings as administrator, trainer, and clinician. He is author of and Depressed and Anxious.