Changing Behavior in DBT: Problem Solving in Action

by Heidi L. Heard, Michaela A Swales, Marsha M. Linehan (Foreword)

This book delves into problem solving, one of the core components of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The authors are leading DBT trainers who elucidate the therapy's principles of behavior change and use case examples to illustrate their effective application. Particular attention is given to common pitfalls that therapists encounter in analyzing target behaviors--for example, a suicide attempt or an episode of bingeing and purging--and selecting and implementing appropriate solutions. Guidelines are provided for successfully implementing the full range of DBT problem-solving strategies, including skills training, stimulus control and exposure, cognitive restructuring, and contingency management.

Genres: Psychology

266 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 10, 2015

Reviews

[Jreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a DBT therapist-- this is a must read. I am currently doing a summary for our team. It took me probably 7 weeks to read, about 5 hours a week, because I had to highlight, make notes in the margins, and then make separate notes in a work notebook on what I wanted to use for specific clients and supervisees. I am spending an hour a day typing up the notes now. It's that good--worth it to put in all the time. I have read several articles published by Swales, most of the DBT books, and am constantly doing literature reviews for my specific demographic.

They had an excellent editor! Whoever you were--not listed--high praise! I read through the 1993 DBT text about every 2 years and I have circled in pencil all of the misspellings, punctuation errors, etc. Detail matters.

It is laid out well--steps in how to make behavior change. You can read through in order or go to a specific section to get immediate help for a problem. All DBT teams should use this book as a training tool. It is excellent. It was published in 2016 and I am sorry not to have read it sooner. An excellent work by persons who really care about the protocol and their clients. I started implementing specific changes--sometimes just a nuance--and seeing results in each session. I shifted how I made recommendations in the DBT consultation team--again, results were almost instantaneous within our approach.

The DBT text and training manual are wonderful. A large portion of DBT therapists are not research trained behaviorists. We are doing the best we can. And now we can do a little better. It does make me want to call all the people I've worked with over the years and ask them to come back--I'm better now!

Guilford Press always offers discounts. They have wonderful customer service. I read loads of therapy books and materials. This was the TOP of my list.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is essential if you do individual DBT, whilst the original CBT book has so much this is a much easier read and it feels like someone is holding your hand throughout rather than it being a reference guide. Having said that the number of times I’ve left a session to go straight to it or read it before supervision are excessive! I always recommend.