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‘Behind The Door’
Does Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) work in forensic settings?
A Phenomenological study identifying the impact of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy on Suicidal Behaviours of females in a forensic setting diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder.
Catheryn S. L. Adcock
University of Teesside
Evaluating Psychological Therapies
MHH 3021-N
Student Number: C3116726
Word Count: 4242
Module Leader: Maggie Hadland
ABSTRACT
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy is a highly recognised therapy specifically designed to meet the needs of patients with Borderline Personality Disorder and their therapists. It directly addresses the problem of keeping these patients in therapy and the difficulty of maintaining therapist motivation and professional well-being. It is based on a clear and testable theory of BPD and encourages a positive and validating attitude to these patients without any negative aspects. The approach marries what is valuable from other forms of therapy, and is based soundly on a clear acknowledgement of the value of a strong relationship between therapist and patient. DBT therapy is clearly structured in stages and at each stage a clear hierarchy of targets is defined. The method offers a particularly beneficial approach to the management of Suicidal Behaviours with a clearly defined response to such behaviours. The techniques used in DBT are extensive and varied, addressing essentially every aspect of therapy and they are underpinned by dialectical philosophy that recommends a balanced, flexible and systemic approach to the work of therapy (Linehan 1993). Techniques of acceptance are balanced by techniques for achieving change, problem solving is surrounded by validation, confrontation is balanced by understanding. This method is supported by empirical evidence which suggests that it is successful in reducing self-injury and time spent in psychiatric in-patient treatments but the evidence is clearly lacking to support this...