Identifying and Targeting TBIs in DBT: Creating Operational Definitions With Patients

Psychē, PLLC Vanderbilt University

When identifying and targeting TIBs, DBT therapists do their part by defining the behavior in terms of their limits rather than the pathology of the patient.
Collaborating with the patient by asking for help in creating operational definitions of TIB can be extremely helpful.
As long as both are in agreement on what the behavior is, and when it is occurring, figurative language may be used to describe a TIB.