Modifying Behaviour Therapy to Meet the Challenge of Treating Borderline Personality Disorder
The Oxford Handbook of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy November 1, 2018 Randy Wolbert
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is described as a synthesis of behaviour therapy and Zen contemplative practice, unified by a dialectical philosophy. The chapter traces the history of Zen and explains why an acceptance-based practice was needed to counterbalance behaviour therapy. It outlines Zen beliefs—the four noble truths and precepts—and examines the compatibility and differences between Zen and behaviour therapy. The author argues that Zen practice modifies behaviour therapy within DBT. Most anecdotes are drawn from Linehan's Zen Dharma talks from the past ten years.