What Is Dialectical Thinking in DBT

United States Department of Homeland Security

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.
Since the universe is constantly changing, we need to be willing to change.
We should focus on becoming active, positive agents of change.
We need to embrace ambivalence and contradictions. Opposites may simply be a matter of perspective.
Dialectics refers to seeing things from different perspectives, to being flexible.
Trauma causes us to see things from only one perspective, to think at the extremes, and to remain rigid.
Dialectical thinking can be paraphrased as balanced thinking, finding shades of gray, and finding the middle path.