Therapist's Roles
A DBT therapist is constantly dancing: Trying to make sure they really understand and ACCEPT where you are coming from whilst also pushing you to CHANGE when they can!
The DBT therapist is an equal partner with the client as a co-collaborator, in a transactional, reciprocal relationship, where the client learns from the therapist and vice versa, the therapist learns from the client (Kress et al., 2021; Tan, 2011; Vaughn, 2018).
Additionally, the therapist plays an active and directive role in therapy, often acting as coach, teacher, motivator/cheerleader, juggler, validator as well as a coping model (Tan, 2011). Therapy to some degree should always include an encouragement component (Kress et al., 2021), which is integral to DBT.
Although, a positive, warm, genuine, and collaborative therapeutic alliance is essential to DBT; the therapeutic relationship alone, is not considered sufficient for effective treatment to occur (Tan, 2011). Thus, structured and systematic interventions are implemented through a strong therapeutic relationship (Linehan, 2015).
The therapist engages in appropriate levels of self-disclosure (Shaller, 2015), openly provide instructions, suggestions, and constructive feedback (Tan, 2011), as well as offers positive reinforcements and verbal praise to the client whilst continuing to encourage the client to actively participate in goal-setting (i.e., what makes their life worth living) (e.g., perhaps, a more stable, happier romantic relationship, having one’s own residence or a pet, learning an instrument, maintaining employment) (Vaughn, 2018).
This will look different for each client and may change significantly over the course of treatment. Throughout therapy, the therapist emphasizes focusing on the immediate experience in the present moment, with acceptance— an open, curious, or receptive attitude— minus judgment, criticism, or an evaluative attitude (Linehan, 2015; Tan, 2011).
Ultimately, the therapist can positively influence the therapeutic process by believing that clients are motivated and capable of change and using that belief to instill hope and optimism during the process, as well as promoting an environment where clients feel safe discussing their struggles and new ways of being (Kress et al., 2021).
Additionally, the therapist plays an active and directive role in therapy, often acting as coach, teacher, motivator/cheerleader, juggler, validator as well as a coping model (Tan, 2011). Therapy to some degree should always include an encouragement component (Kress et al., 2021), which is integral to DBT.
Although, a positive, warm, genuine, and collaborative therapeutic alliance is essential to DBT; the therapeutic relationship alone, is not considered sufficient for effective treatment to occur (Tan, 2011). Thus, structured and systematic interventions are implemented through a strong therapeutic relationship (Linehan, 2015).
The therapist engages in appropriate levels of self-disclosure (Shaller, 2015), openly provide instructions, suggestions, and constructive feedback (Tan, 2011), as well as offers positive reinforcements and verbal praise to the client whilst continuing to encourage the client to actively participate in goal-setting (i.e., what makes their life worth living) (e.g., perhaps, a more stable, happier romantic relationship, having one’s own residence or a pet, learning an instrument, maintaining employment) (Vaughn, 2018).
This will look different for each client and may change significantly over the course of treatment. Throughout therapy, the therapist emphasizes focusing on the immediate experience in the present moment, with acceptance— an open, curious, or receptive attitude— minus judgment, criticism, or an evaluative attitude (Linehan, 2015; Tan, 2011).
Ultimately, the therapist can positively influence the therapeutic process by believing that clients are motivated and capable of change and using that belief to instill hope and optimism during the process, as well as promoting an environment where clients feel safe discussing their struggles and new ways of being (Kress et al., 2021).
