The Biosocial Model in DBT: Emotion Dysregulation and Invalidating Environments

Stephanie Vaughn

Psychē, PLLC Vanderbilt University

Key Points

  1. DBT’s biosocial model is the theory of how symptoms arise and are maintained. It is a no-blame model.
  2. Equation for the biosocial model: emotional sensitivity plus an invalidating environment equals pervasive emotion dysregulation.
  3. Emotional sensitivity is inborn.
  4. An invalidating environment is one in which a person does not fit. It does not have to be an abusive one.
  5. The biosocial model is transactional in nature.

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The Biosocial Model in DBT: Emotion Dysregulation and Invalidating Environments

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