{"id":9121,"date":"2025-12-19T00:01:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-19T08:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/?p=9121"},"modified":"2026-06-04T09:18:24","modified_gmt":"2026-06-04T17:18:24","slug":"how-marsha-linehans-struggle-with-bpd-led-to-dbt-and-a-new-way-to-heal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/how-marsha-linehans-struggle-with-bpd-led-to-dbt-and-a-new-way-to-heal","title":{"rendered":"How Marsha Linehan\u2019s Struggle with BPD Led to DBT and a New Way to Heal"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 ez-toc-wrap-center counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">In This Article<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/how-marsha-linehans-struggle-with-bpd-led-to-dbt-and-a-new-way-to-heal\/#When_Healing_Begins_with_Honesty\" >When Healing Begins with Honesty<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/how-marsha-linehans-struggle-with-bpd-led-to-dbt-and-a-new-way-to-heal\/#What_Is_Dialectical_Behavior_Therapy_DBT\" >What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/how-marsha-linehans-struggle-with-bpd-led-to-dbt-and-a-new-way-to-heal\/#Mental_Health_Treatment_Before_DBT_A_System_Under_Strain\" >Mental Health Treatment Before DBT: A System Under Strain<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/how-marsha-linehans-struggle-with-bpd-led-to-dbt-and-a-new-way-to-heal\/#Why_Traditional_Therapies_Fell_Short_with_BPD\" >Why Traditional Therapies Fell Short with BPD<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/how-marsha-linehans-struggle-with-bpd-led-to-dbt-and-a-new-way-to-heal\/#Marsha_Linehans_Lived_Experience_with_BPD\" >Marsha Linehan\u2019s Lived Experience with BPD<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/how-marsha-linehans-struggle-with-bpd-led-to-dbt-and-a-new-way-to-heal\/#The_Birth_of_DBT_Where_Science_Meets_Self-Compassion\" >The Birth of DBT: Where Science Meets Self-Compassion<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/how-marsha-linehans-struggle-with-bpd-led-to-dbt-and-a-new-way-to-heal\/#How_Linehans_Experience_Shaped_DBTs_Core_Principles\" >How Linehan\u2019s Experience Shaped DBT\u2019s Core Principles<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/how-marsha-linehans-struggle-with-bpd-led-to-dbt-and-a-new-way-to-heal\/#Why_DBT_Works_The_Science_Behind_the_Skills\" >Why DBT Works: The Science Behind the Skills<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/how-marsha-linehans-struggle-with-bpd-led-to-dbt-and-a-new-way-to-heal\/#A_New_Perspective_BPD_as_a_Trauma_Response\" >A New Perspective: BPD as a Trauma Response<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/how-marsha-linehans-struggle-with-bpd-led-to-dbt-and-a-new-way-to-heal\/#DBTs_Lasting_Legacy_Healing_Through_Balance\" >DBT\u2019s Lasting Legacy: Healing Through Balance<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/how-marsha-linehans-struggle-with-bpd-led-to-dbt-and-a-new-way-to-heal\/#Healing_as_a_Lifelong_Practice\" >Healing as a Lifelong Practice<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/how-marsha-linehans-struggle-with-bpd-led-to-dbt-and-a-new-way-to-heal\/#DBT_Resources\" >DBT Resources<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/how-marsha-linehans-struggle-with-bpd-led-to-dbt-and-a-new-way-to-heal\/#Key_Takeaways\" >Key Takeaways<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/how-marsha-linehans-struggle-with-bpd-led-to-dbt-and-a-new-way-to-heal\/#References\" >References<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_Healing_Begins_with_Honesty\"><\/span>When Healing Begins with Honesty<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mental illness doesn\u2019t look the same for everyone. For some people, it disrupts daily life. For others, it reshapes how they see themselves and the world. And in rare cases, <strong>personal suffering can serve as the foundation for scientific breakthroughs.<\/strong> <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/a-quick-mental-health-treatment-guide-for-clinicians-classic-behavioral-psychotherapies\">Dialectical Behavior Therapy<\/a> (DBT)<\/strong> is one of those breakthroughs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What makes DBT unique isn\u2019t just its effectiveness; <strong>it\u2019s the fact that it was born from lived experience.<\/strong> The therapy designed to help people survive intense emotional pain first helped its creator do the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before diving into <strong>Marsha Linehan\u2019s story<\/strong>, let\u2019s start with some DBT basics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_Dialectical_Behavior_Therapy_DBT\"><\/span>What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Dialectical Behavior Therapy<\/strong> is a <strong>structured, evidence-based form of psychotherapy<\/strong> that focuses on helping clients <strong>balance acceptance of their experiences while changing their unhelpful behaviors<\/strong>. It\u2019s best known for treating <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/understanding-personality-disorders-a-helpful-guide-for-health-professionals\">borderline personality disorder (BPD)<\/a><\/strong>, but it\u2019s also used to treat:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/understanding-eating-disorders-a-helpful-guide-for-health-professionals\"><strong>Eating disorders<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/understanding-ptsd-a-helpful-guide-for-health-professionals\">Post-traumatic stress disorder <\/a>(PTSD)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/learn\/Suicide\"><strong>Suicidal behavior<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/learn\/Case_study_-_Depression_and_suicidal_ideation:_Nursing\"><strong>Self-harm<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/understanding-mood-disorders-a-helpful-guide-for-health-professionals\"><strong>Major depressive disorder<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">DBT focuses on <strong>four core skill areas<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/ten-ways-to-become-a-happier-person\">Mindfulness<\/a><\/strong>: staying present and aware without judgment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Distress tolerance:<\/strong> coping with crises without making them worse<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Emotion regulation:<\/strong> understanding and managing intense emotions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Interpersonal effectiveness<\/strong>: communicating needs and maintaining relationships<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many studies have shown that <strong>DBT improves <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10896753\/\">emotional stability and social functioning<\/a><\/strong>, especially in people with <strong>BPD, while also reducing suicidality and hospitalization rates.<\/strong> Another study showed that <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK525629\/\">92% of patients<\/a> who underwent DBT had minimal or mild depression<\/strong> compared to patients on a wait list, where <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK525629\/\"><strong>58% had moderate to severe depression<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The person behind this approach is <strong>psychologist, researcher, and survivor Dr. Marsha Linehan<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Dr. Marsha Linehan\u2019s journey is one of scientific innovation, trauma, and true resilience.<\/strong> Let\u2019s explore her story, learn about the birth of DBT, discover how trauma science deepens DBT\u2019s relevance, and speak to DBT\u2019s uses in treating a variety of trauma-based disorders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"751\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/Community_Clinic.png\" alt=\"Illustration of a small community health clinic with a central entrance, double doors, windows on both sides, and a red medical cross displayed above the doorway.\" class=\"wp-image-9127\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/Community_Clinic.png 751w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/Community_Clinic.png?resize=300,128 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 751px) 100vw, 751px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mental_Health_Treatment_Before_DBT_A_System_Under_Strain\"><\/span>Mental Health Treatment Before DBT: A System Under Strain<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To understand why <strong>DBT was revolutionary<\/strong>, it helps to look at the mental health landscape of the <strong>1960s and 1970s<\/strong>. While <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/learn\/Antipsychotic_Drug_Therapy\">antipsychotic medications<\/a><\/strong> were in common use starting in the 1950s, treatment for severe mental health disorders often involved <strong>institutionalization in a long-term facility<\/strong>. The widespread introduction and use of <strong>antipsychotic medications<\/strong> led to <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC2690151\/\">deinstitutionalization<\/a><\/strong>, based on the idea that patients would receive better care in conjunction with their medication from <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC2690151\/\">community mental health centers<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unfortunately, the community mental health system was <strong>underfunded and overstretched <\/strong>leading to challenges with providing sufficient care for many patients, in particular, those who needed assistance with daily living activities. Many people, especially those with <strong>complex emotional needs<\/strong>, fell through the cracks and often ended up <strong>homeless and untreated<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Throughout this time, patients with <strong>intense emotional dysregulation<\/strong> faced a range of difficulties in getting treatment. <strong>Borderline personality disorder<\/strong> <strong>carries heavy stigma<\/strong>, with individuals with <strong>chronic suicidality<\/strong> labeled as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychiatrictimes.com\/view\/colloquialism-full-recognition-evolution-bpd\">overanxious, difficult to work with, and even <strong>untreatable<\/strong><\/a>. Clinicians\u2019 assumptions and attitudes interfered with care, discouraging them from working with BPD clients, along with <strong>insurance companies refusing to cover treatment<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Traditional_Therapies_Fell_Short_with_BPD\"><\/span>Why Traditional Therapies Fell Short with BPD<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two major therapeutic approaches struggled to meet the needs of people with <strong>BPD<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apa.org\/ptsd-guideline\/patients-and-families\/cognitive-behavioral\">Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)<\/a><\/strong> focuses on identifying and changing maladaptive thoughts and behaviors. For many patients with BPD, this approach <strong>felt <a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/239279018_Dialectical_Behavior_Therapy_in_a_Nutshell\">invalidating<\/a><\/strong>, leading to intense patient-therapist conflicts or patients quitting therapy due to experiencing feelings of being <strong>dismissed as wrong or excessive<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apa.org\/ed\/graduate\/specialize\/psychoanalysis\">Psychoanalysis<\/a><\/strong> aims to uncover unconscious processes and past experiences. However, when working with individuals experiencing <strong>emotional dysregulation, intense emotions, unstable relationships, and suicidality<\/strong>, the therapeutic relationship was often strained. These challenges frequently led to <a href=\"https:\/\/psychiatryonline.org\/doi\/10.1176\/appi.psychotherapy.2015.69.3.241\"><strong>boundary issues, therapist burnout, or disengagement<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>core features of BPD<\/strong>, including emotional instability, fear of abandonment, and chronic suicidality, often further complicate treatment. <strong>Patients could rapidly <a href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/full\/10.1002\/pmh.1609\">idealize therapists and then sharply devalue them<\/a><\/strong>, making it difficult to form a consistent, trusting alliance. In response, <a href=\"https:\/\/psychiatryonline.org\/doi\/10.1176\/appi.psychotherapy.2015.69.3.241\">therapists may become either <strong>over-involved<\/strong><\/a> due to fears of suicide or a desire to rescue the patient, or <strong>emotionally withdrawn<\/strong> as a means of self-protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In short, <strong>existing treatments did not adequately address the emotional pain<\/strong> driving suicidal and self-destructive behaviors. <strong>Marsha Linehan discovered this therapeutic shortcoming firsthand.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"901\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/schizophrenia.png\" alt=\"Blue-toned illustration representing mental distress: three versions of the same person show different emotional states\u2014angry, anxious (holding their head), and sad under a raining cloud. Above them, a tangled speech bubble with punctuation marks suggests confusing thoughts, and a ghostly, martial-arts\u2013like figure floats overhead, symbolizing intrusive or disordered thoughts.\" class=\"wp-image-9124\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.8324242678526474;width:310px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/schizophrenia.png 750w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/schizophrenia.png?resize=250,300 250w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Marsha_Linehans_Lived_Experience_with_BPD\"><\/span>Marsha Linehan\u2019s Lived Experience with BPD<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In <strong>2011, Marsha Linehan publicly shared <\/strong>with her patients, colleagues, and loved ones that she had been <strong>institutionalized as a teenager<\/strong> due to <strong>borderline personality disorder<\/strong>. During that time, she experienced <strong>severe emotional distress, chronic suicidal thoughts, <\/strong>and engaged in <strong>self-harm.<\/strong> She spent years hospitalized, was <strong>misdiagnosed with schizophrenia<\/strong>, and at one point was described as <strong>one of the most disturbed patients on the ward<\/strong>. Throughout her hospitalization, she was subjected to treatments such as <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eatbreathethrive.org\/ebt-blog\/marsha-linehan\">electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), isolation, and medication<\/a><\/strong>; none of which addressed the underlying <strong>trauma <\/strong>or the <strong>emotional agony<\/strong> she endured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What ultimately helped Linehan survive was <strong>not a specific treatment<\/strong>, but her <strong>determination to find meaning in her suffering<\/strong>. Although hospitalization failed to help her as a young woman, her struggles with BPD later shaped her ability to <strong>connect deeply with patients<\/strong> and fueled her commitment to <strong>developing an effective treatment<\/strong>. She went on to earn a <strong>PhD in psychology<\/strong> and to create an <a href=\"https:\/\/welldoing.org\/article\/roots-DBT-marsha-m-linehan-building-life-worth-living\"><strong>evidence-based therapy for individuals with chronic suicidality<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Given the stigma surrounding BPD and mental illness more broadly, <strong>Dr. Linehan\u2019s public acknowledgement of her own mental health journey was a significant step in reducing stigma<\/strong>. Her openness serves as a powerful example of how to <strong>embrace a condition while recognizing that healing is possible<\/strong>. Her lived experience also clarified and deepened her understanding that patients need <strong>compassion, validation, and hope<\/strong>, not just a focus on change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Birth_of_DBT_Where_Science_Meets_Self-Compassion\"><\/span>The Birth of DBT: Where Science Meets Self-Compassion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Linehan originally focused on using <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/a-quick-mental-health-treatment-guide-for-clinicians-classic-behavioral-psychotherapies#Comparative_Overview_of_Therapies\">CBT<\/a> <\/strong>as a treatment tool for suicidal patients, but because CBT focuses on <strong>altering core beliefs and behavioral change<\/strong>, her patients with intense emotional dysregulation didn\u2019t find it helpful. The emphasis on <strong>change<\/strong> made patients feel <strong>misunderstood <\/strong>and that their feelings were <strong>invalid or irrelevant.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In response, Linehan added a <strong>radical component<\/strong> to her treatment approach: <strong>acceptance<\/strong>. She then blended well-known <a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/gb\/blog\/dbt-for-daily-life\/202406\/how-marsha-linehan-created-dbt-and-how-it-can-help\"><strong>CBT principles with Zen mindfulness philosophy and acceptance practices<\/strong><\/a>, leading to the creation of <strong>Dialectical Behavioral Therapy<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The term <strong><em>dialectical<\/em> <\/strong>refers to the integration of seemingly opposing ideas, particularly the balance between <strong>acceptance and change<\/strong>. In DBT, patients learn that <strong>both can be true at the same time<\/strong>: they are doing the best they can, and they can learn to do better. So, rather than asking patients to deny their pain, <strong>DBT validates their suffering<\/strong> <strong>while giving them the necessary concrete skills to manage it.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">DBT is delivered through <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC6007584\/#s3\">multi-modal components<\/a><\/strong>, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Individual therapy<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Skills training groups<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Phone coaching<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Therapist consultation teams<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Together, these elements offer a <strong>collaborative approach<\/strong> where patients focus on <strong>building skills, managing their emotions, and developing distress tolerance<\/strong> while working to remain present and mindful. This structured model supports both patients and clinicians, <strong>reducing burnout and improving outcomes.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Linehans_Experience_Shaped_DBTs_Core_Principles\"><\/span>How Linehan\u2019s Experience Shaped DBT\u2019s Core Principles<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Validation is central to DBT.<\/strong> People with emotional dysregulation are often told they are <strong>overreacting or too sensitive<\/strong>. Linehan understood how damaging invalidation can be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During her recovery journey, Dr. Linehan developed the phrase &#8220;<strong>Build a life worth living<\/strong>,&#8221; a central concept in DBT (and eventually became the title of her book). It encourages patients to identify what matters most to them and what brings them happiness and fulfillment, then to actively create that life, no matter how challenging it may seem. While in DBT, patients learn to manage difficulties and emotional distress with <strong>self-compassion and emotional regulation<\/strong>. According to Linehan, the healing process requires <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC9120980\/\">accepting both the hardships and joys of life<\/a> while building a healthy life within one&#8217;s current circumstances<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Linehan also redefined the <strong>therapist-patient relationship<\/strong>. Her view is that therapy works best when <strong>both parties engage authentically<\/strong> and address behaviors that interfere with progress on either side. So, instead of seeing therapists as fixers, she believes they should be seen as <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.borderlinepersonalitydisorder.org\/pearls-from-beyond-borderline-the-experience-of-the-therapist-and-client-relationship-in-dbt-part-7-of-11\/\">collaborators<\/a><\/strong> <strong>in the healing process.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In her memoir, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/welldoing.org\/article\/roots-DBT-marsha-m-linehan-building-life-worth-living\">Building a Life Worth Living<\/a><\/em>, Linehan describes the <strong>spiritual beliefs and personal vows<\/strong> that sustained her through hospitalization:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>&#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/welldoing.org\/article\/roots-DBT-marsha-m-linehan-building-life-worth-living\">They put me in a four-walled room. But left me really out. My soul was tossed. Somewhere askew.<\/a>&#8220;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And her commitment to help others once she found her way out:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>&#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/welldoing.org\/article\/roots-DBT-marsha-m-linehan-building-life-worth-living\">I made a vow to God that I would get myself out of hell and&#8230; once I did, I would go back into hell and get others out. That vow has guided and controlled most of my life since then.<\/a>&#8220;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"861\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/Casey_meditating.png\" alt=\"Illustration of a calm person sitting cross-legged in a meditation pose, eyes closed and hands resting together in their lap, wearing a light-colored shirt and pants in soft pink tones, conveying relaxation and mindfulness.\" class=\"wp-image-9125\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.7549467275494672;width:304px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/Casey_meditating.png 650w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/Casey_meditating.png?resize=226,300 226w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_DBT_Works_The_Science_Behind_the_Skills\"><\/span>Why DBT Works: The Science Behind the Skills<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At its core, <strong>Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)<\/strong> teaches <strong>essential skills<\/strong> that many people never had the opportunity to develop\u2014such as <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/treatments\/22838-dialectical-behavior-therapy-dbt\">regulating emotions, tolerating distress, and navigating interpersonal relationships<\/a> more effectively<\/strong>. Dr. Linehan has shared that she believes she experienced a <strong>skills deficit<\/strong> early in life, and that acquiring these skills through DBT helped her (and countless patients) better manage their lives and improve their relationships with themselves and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Decades of research show that <strong>DBT<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2352250X21000038\"><strong>Reduces the severity of self-harm and suicidal behaviors<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2352250X21000038\"><strong>Improves psychological and social well-being<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10896753\/#sec3\"><strong>Improves mood stability and impulse control<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10896753\/#sec3\"><strong>Lowers hospitalization rates<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While DBT is best known for treating BPD, it\u2019s also been shown to be effective in treating other common mental health issues, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK525629\/\"><strong>PTSD, eating disorders, and substance use disorders<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although the existing DBT treatment model is already highly effective, it continues to evolve, expanding into <strong>online programs, group interventions, and trauma-focused adaptations like DBT-Prolonged Exposure (DBT-PE)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_New_Perspective_BPD_as_a_Trauma_Response\"><\/span>A New Perspective: BPD as a Trauma Response<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Recent research highlights strong links between <strong>borderline personality disorder (BPD) and early life trauma<\/strong>, including <strong>emotional neglect, chronic trauma, and early attachment disruption.<\/strong> A <strong>2021 study<\/strong> identified <a href=\"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/journals\/psychiatry\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyt.2021.721361\/full\"><strong>parental mental illness, emotional and physical trauma, and early-life poverty<\/strong><\/a> as some of the strongest predictors of BPD symptoms in adolescents, patterns that often persist into adulthood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Children who experience abuse or emotional neglect may internalize these experiences, developing <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/articles\/25170-attachment-styles\">insecure attachment<\/a><\/strong> <strong>styles and a negative self-image<\/strong>. Over time, this can lead to <strong>fear of abandonment, difficulty trusting others, and the belief that they are fundamentally unworthy of trust or care<\/strong>. These early wounds can shape emotional responses and coping behaviors, contributing to the emergence of BPD symptoms and self-destructive behaviors later in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trauma can significantly alter the brain\u2019s <strong>emotional regulation systems<\/strong>, helping explain the <strong>emotional instability, impulsivity, and interpersonal difficulties<\/strong> commonly seen in BPD. Understanding BPD through this developmental and neurobiological lens <strong>does not redefine the diagnosis<\/strong>, but <strong>deepens compassion <\/strong>for its origins and the lived experiences of those affected. Examining the trauma associated with the development of BPD symptoms allows patients to begin healing through the <strong>acknowledgment and acceptance of past maltreatment<\/strong>, rather than carrying the weight of shame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"611\" width=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/walking-tightrope-balance.png?w=1024\" alt=\"Illustration of a person balancing on a tightrope, holding a long pole for stability while standing on one leg and bending the other behind them, rendered in green tones to convey focus, balance, and careful control.\" class=\"wp-image-6178\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/walking-tightrope-balance.png 1920w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/walking-tightrope-balance.png?resize=300,179 300w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/walking-tightrope-balance.png?resize=768,458 768w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/walking-tightrope-balance.png?resize=1024,611 1024w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/walking-tightrope-balance.png?resize=1536,916 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"DBTs_Lasting_Legacy_Healing_Through_Balance\"><\/span>DBT\u2019s Lasting Legacy: Healing Through Balance<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linehaninstitute.org\/marsha-linehan-bio\">combines <strong>mindfulness with evidence-based psychotherapy<\/strong><\/a>, integrating <strong>Eastern practices with Western therapeutic techniques<\/strong>. At its core, DBT emphasizes <strong>both self-acceptance and a commitment to change<\/strong>, validating trauma while strengthening personal agency in ways that set it apart from many other therapies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Today, DBT has a <strong>global presence<\/strong> through clinics, online training programs, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/359964882_Cultural_adaptations_of_dialectical_behavior_therapy_A_systematic_review\">culturally adapted models<\/a>. Its central goal is to help individuals <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linehaninstitute.org\/publications\"><strong>build a life worth living<\/strong><\/a>. Through <strong>Dr. Linehan\u2019s openness about her <a href=\"https:\/\/welldoing.org\/article\/roots-DBT-marsha-m-linehan-building-life-worth-living\">own diagnosis and mental health journey<\/a><\/strong>, she\u2019s helped reduce stigma for both clients and clinicians. She advocates for <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2352250X21000038\">compassionate, evidence-based treatment<\/a> rooted in mutual respect<\/strong>, where therapist and client engage as equals. Shaped by her own experiences with trauma, emptiness, and suicidality, her work has helped <strong>humanize the field of psychology<\/strong> by uniting rigorous science with lived empathy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Healing_as_a_Lifelong_Practice\"><\/span>Healing as a Lifelong Practice<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Healing is a <strong>lifelong process<\/strong> that unfolds when <strong>acceptance and change exist together<\/strong>. <strong>Marsha Linehan\u2019s story<\/strong> demonstrates how <strong>personal suffering can be transformed into a meaningful, global impact<\/strong>. Her realization that <strong>both acceptance and change<\/strong> are essential in treating emotional dysregulation, suicidality, and BPD became the foundation of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/chapter\/edited-volume\/abs\/pii\/B9780128034576000180\"><strong>Dialectical Behavior Therapy<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Linehan\u2019s work reminds us that <strong>emotional intensity is not a sign of brokenness,<\/strong> but a capacity for deep feeling and resilience. With the right tools and support, <strong>BPD can be managed and transformed<\/strong>. And, as Linehan herself said, <strong>\u201cYou are doing the best you can, and you can learn to do better.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"DBT_Resources\"><\/span>DBT Resources<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For those interested in learning more about Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) or seeking DBT treatment, the following resources provide reliable information on DBT skills, finding qualified providers, family education, and evidence-based treatment programs. These organizations and websites are widely recognized within the DBT community and can serve as a helpful starting point for individuals, families, and professionals exploring DBT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/behavioraltech.org\">https:\/\/behavioraltech.org<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/linehaninstitute.org\">https:\/\/linehaninstitute.org<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dbt-lbc.org\">https:\/\/dbt-lbc.org<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.isitdbt.org\">https:\/\/www.isitdbt.org<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dbtselfhelp.com\">https:\/\/dbtselfhelp.com<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.borderlinepersonalitydisorder.org\">https:\/\/www.borderlinepersonalitydisorder.org<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\">https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.therapistaid.com\">https:\/\/www.therapistaid.com<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytools.com\">https:\/\/www.psychologytools.com<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nami.org\">https:\/\/www.nami.org<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Takeaways\"><\/span>Key Takeaways<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Marsha Linehan\u2019s personal struggle with BPD inspired the creation of DBT.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>DBT blends acceptance and change to help manage emotional dysregulation.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The therapy teaches mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal skills.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>DBT reduces self-harm, suicidality, and hospitalization in BPD and other disorders.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Understanding trauma\u2019s impact deepens compassion and improves treatment outcomes.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"References\"><\/span>References<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10896753\/\">https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10896753\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK525629\/\">https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK525629\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC2690151\/\">https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC2690151\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/psychiatryonline.org\/doi\/full\/10.1176\/appi.ajp-rj.2021.160404\">https:\/\/psychiatryonline.org\/doi\/full\/10.1176\/appi.ajp-rj.2021.160404<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/full\/10.1002\/pmh.1609\">https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/full\/10.1002\/pmh.1609<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychiatrictimes.com\/view\/colloquialism-full-recognition-evolution-bpd\">https:\/\/www.psychiatrictimes.com\/view\/colloquialism-full-recognition-evolution-bpd<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apa.org\/ptsd-guideline\/patients-and-families\/cognitive-behavioral\">https:\/\/www.apa.org\/ptsd-guideline\/patients-and-families\/cognitive-behavioral<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apa.org\/ed\/graduate\/specialize\/psychoanalysis\">https:\/\/www.apa.org\/ed\/graduate\/specialize\/psychoanalysis<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/239279018_Dialectical_Behavior_Therapy_in_a_Nutshell\">https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/239279018_Dialectical_Behavior_Therapy_in_a_Nutshell<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/psychiatryonline.org\/doi\/10.1176\/appi.psychotherapy.2015.69.3.241\">https:\/\/psychiatryonline.org\/doi\/10.1176\/appi.psychotherapy.2015.69.3.241<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eatbreathethrive.org\/ebt-blog\/marsha-linehan\">https:\/\/www.eatbreathethrive.org\/ebt-blog\/marsha-linehan<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/welldoing.org\/article\/roots-DBT-marsha-m-linehan-building-life-worth-living\">https:\/\/welldoing.org\/article\/roots-DBT-marsha-m-linehan-building-life-worth-living<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\/blog\/dbt-for-daily-life\/202406\/how-marsha-linehan-created-dbt-and-how-it-can-help\">https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\/blog\/dbt-for-daily-life\/202406\/how-marsha-linehan-created-dbt-and-how-it-can-help<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/gb\/blog\/dbt-for-daily-life\/202406\/how-marsha-linehan-created-dbt-and-how-it-can-help\">https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/gb\/blog\/dbt-for-daily-life\/202406\/how-marsha-linehan-created-dbt-and-how-it-can-help<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC6007584\/#s3\">https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC6007584\/#s3<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC9120980\/\">https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC9120980\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.borderlinepersonalitydisorder.org\/pearls-from-beyond-borderline-the-experience-of-the-therapist-and-client-relationship-in-dbt-part-7-of-11\/\">https:\/\/www.borderlinepersonalitydisorder.org\/pearls-from-beyond-borderline-the-experience-of-the-therapist-and-client-relationship-in-dbt-part-7-of-11\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2352250X21000038\">https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2352250X21000038<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10896753\/#sec3\">https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10896753\/#sec3<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK525629\/\">https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK525629\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC2914145\/\">https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC2914145\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC8124086\/\">https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC8124086\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/journals\/psychiatry\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyt.2021.721361\/full\">https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/journals\/psychiatry\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyt.2021.721361\/full<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/articles\/25170-attachment-styles\">https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/articles\/25170-attachment-styles<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linehaninstitute.org\/marsha-linehan-bio\">https:\/\/www.linehaninstitute.org\/marsha-linehan-bio<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dbt.tools\/emotional_regulation\/stop.php\">https:\/\/dbt.tools\/emotional_regulation\/stop.php<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/359964882_Cultural_adaptations_of_dialectical_behavior_therapy_A_systematic_review\">https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/359964882_Cultural_adaptations_of_dialectical_behavior_therapy_A_systematic_review<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linehaninstitute.org\/publications\">https:\/\/www.linehaninstitute.org\/publications<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2352250X21000038\">https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2352250X21000038<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/chapter\/edited-volume\/abs\/pii\/B9780128034576000180\">https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/chapter\/edited-volume\/abs\/pii\/B9780128034576000180<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/plans\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/03\/Blog_Display_Ads_GENERAL1_2023.png?w=700\" alt=\"ad\" class=\"wp-image-4430\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/03\/Blog_Display_Ads_GENERAL1_2023.png 700w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/03\/Blog_Display_Ads_GENERAL1_2023.png?resize=300,107 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Try&nbsp;<strong>Osmosis from Elsevier<\/strong>&nbsp;today! Access your&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/plans\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>free trial<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;and discover why millions of current and future&nbsp;<strong>clinicians&nbsp;<\/strong>and&nbsp;<strong>caregivers&nbsp;<\/strong>love&nbsp;<strong>learning with us<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Explore Marsha Linehan\u2019s journey from living with BPD to developing Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a therapy combining acceptance and change to heal emotional pain.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":175,"featured_media":9123,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[18,22,23,28],"tags":[1110,2574,873,2572,2573,2571,2579,1383,551,1112,2578,2577,2575,2576,974],"class_list":["post-9121","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-equity-diversity-and-inclusion","category-health-and-wellness","category-healthcare-facts","category-mental-health","tag-borderline-personality-disorder","tag-bpd","tag-dbt","tag-dialectical-behavior-therapy","tag-emotional-regulation","tag-marsha-linehan","tag-mental-health-stigma","tag-mental-health-treatment","tag-mindfulness","tag-psychotherapy","tag-self-compassion","tag-suicide-prevention","tag-therapy-innovations","tag-trauma-therapy","tag-trauma-informed-care"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.6 - 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