Conclusion

Dialectical Behavior Therapy has offered much in the realm of therapies. Dr. Linehan has saved thousands of lives with her innovative work. Borderline Personality Disorder is not being “crazy” or “unhinged.” It’s simply mental illness. It includes many other mental illnesses as facets of it. Because of that, it only makes sense that an effective therapy for this condition would include many types of therapy and self-reflection. 

Mindfulness is probably the most important aspect of DBT because we have been trained not to be mindful. We’re like ants, scurrying around – hurry, hurry, hurry, but going nowhere.  

Mindfulness forces you to focus on the present. Ask yourself, “Am I treading water? Am I at the bottom of a ladder I want to be on or the middle of one I don’t?” When you choose mindfulness, you look at your life for a moment.

Your questions aren’t all going to be answered in one moment of mindfulness. It’s something that must be practiced every day. DBT is an excellent medium for learning the skills of mindfulness and interpersonal relationships. When therapy is complete, you’ve acquired an outstanding toolkit of skills to reach for in any situation.

Our entire lives are our memories and our interpersonal relationships. Because DBT focuses on mindfulness and interpersonal relationships, it is one of the most effective types of therapies. When we’re mindful, we’re creating memories. We’re technically creating memories when we’re not mindful as well – but not memories of what’s actually happening. 

In summary, by practicing the skills of DBT, we create memories and interpersonal relationships. And having good memories and relationships is what makes life worth living.