Marsha Linehan was the one who developed dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and in this book she presents a treatment proposal aimed at clients diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD), although DBT is not restricted to treating this population. BPD is one of the disorders with the highest rate of completed suicide and suicide attempts, making it a challenge for treatment. Thus, DBT is an intervention proposal that, initially, aimed to equip professionals to deal effectively with borderline individuals and those who, although not contemplating the diagnosis of BPD, present suicidal behavior or a history of suicide.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a widely used approach to mental health treatment that focuses on the interplay between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Theory and Practice” is a comprehensive book that provides a detailed overview of the theory and practice of CBT.
The book is divided into three sections. The first section provides a thorough introduction to the theory behind CBT. It covers the historical background of CBT, the cognitive model of psychopathology, and the principles of cognitive restructuring. The second section investigates CBT practice, with chapters on case assessment and formulation, therapeutic techniques, and the therapeutic relationship. The third section discusses the application of CBT to specific disorders, including anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.
Overall, the book is well organized and informative. The authors provide a clear and concise explanation of CBT theory and practice, making it accessible to both mental health professionals and individuals interested in learning more about CBT. The case examples and practical tips throughout the book make it a valuable resource for those looking to implement CBT in their practice or personal life.
A possible disadvantage of the book is that it may not be as comprehensive as other CBT books. However, it is an excellent introductory resource that covers the fundamentals of CBT in a concise and easy-to-understand manner.
In conclusion, “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Theory and Practice” is a valuable resource for mental health professionals and individuals interested in learning about CBT. The authors provide a clear and practical guide to the theory and practice of CBT, making it essential reading for anyone looking to implement CBT into their practice or personal life.
In summary, despite the specificities of each strategy, it is clear that they provide cognitive, behavioral and dialectical resources. Dialectics seems to be the guiding principle of the psychologist’s conduct, of many of the proposed interventions, and of an important part of the behavioral repertoire to be developed by the client. Behavioral strategies seem to make up most of the proposed interventions, and cognitive strategies well contemplate the need to intervene on some covert difficulties, such as thoughts and beliefs that are part of chains of events that are important to intervene.
Finally, when analyzing the chapters of the manual, it is possible to observe that DBT stems from a clinical demand often complex – suicidal and parasuicidal behaviors – and presents well-defined strategies to each relevant issue. Therefore, it is a well-structured treatment approach, which provides resources to improve the psychologists’ repertoire for the management of clinical cases considered at risk and/or difficult.
