Tomi (okay to call you that? much easier to type)

If I can answer for SC...she may have more to add, but here's a bit from me:

Dialectic refers to two opposing ideas held at the same time. It's about polarities. Marsha Linehan is the author of this model in psychotherapy, and she developed it out of working with people with borderline personality disorder. A lot of the principles; however, can be applied to other clients.

Formal DBT involves a treatment team, with individual and group therapy, between sessions phone contact, and evolves over several stages. I don't have my book at home with me, or I'd give you the big three dialects, but the one I always remember is the stance the therapist takes of unwavering validation versus facilitating change. I believe the others have something to do with combining flexibility with stability, nurturuance with challenging, and focus on capabilities with a focus on limitations and deficits. The goal of a dialectical approach is to move from an "either/or" stance to a "both/and" stance.

DBT is an integration of CBT, eastern philosophies, interpersonal therapies, and crisis management.

Okay, brain hurts for now.

off to bed.

gg