Dialectical Thinking in DBT for Trauma: an Overview
United States Department of Homeland Security
Key Points
- Dialectics conceptualizes the universe as an interconnected system full of opposites.
- We should align our approach to life with how the universe works to become more effective.
- CBT encourages an adversarial relationship with thoughts, and TF-DBT recommends becoming more aware and accepting of them.
- Negativity bias: we favor false alarms over no alarms.
- This results in more negative emotions but is adaptive for our survival.
- Negativity bias also results in automatic negative thoughts (ANTs).
- Questions to identify a potential ANT are: is it logical? Is there evidence? And does it matter?
Materials Downloads
DBT for Trauma Online Training
Learn how to support clients struggling with trauma and complex trauma without reliance on traditional exposure methods.
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