‎DBT Diary Card

An introduction to DBT

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan. It is particularly effective for individuals struggling with emotional regulation or exhibiting self-destructive behaviors. DBT combines standard cognitive-behavioral techniques with concepts of distress tolerance, acceptance, and mindful awareness largely derived from Buddhist meditative practice.

DBT is often used to treat borderline personality disorder, eating disorders, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. It focuses on four key areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. The therapy aims to help individuals understand and accept their difficult feelings, learn managing skills, improve relationships, and live a mindful, present life.

Understanding DBT Diary Cards

DBT Diary Cards are a fundamental component of Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Clients use them to track their emotions, thoughts, behaviors, and use of DBT skills throughout the week. These cards are versatile tools that can be customized to each individual's therapy goals and needs.

The primary purpose of a DBT Diary Card is to bring awareness to behaviors that are targeted in therapy and to track progress. Clients record various aspects of their daily experiences, including mood intensity, urges (like self-harm or substance use), and actions taken in response to these urges. They also note the DBT skills they've used each day. This consistent tracking helps clients and therapists to identify patterns, triggers, and the effectiveness of different coping strategies.

How does this DBT Diary Card work?

Our printable DBT Diary Card is typically filled out daily by the client. It includes sections for emotional states, urges, behaviors, and DBT skill usage. The client rates each item based on their experiences throughout the day. This might include rating the intensity of emotions, the frequency of urges, and the effectiveness of skills used.

The card is reviewed in each therapy session, providing a basis for discussion and further exploration. It helps the therapist understand the client's week, see how well they use DBT skills, track them, and identify areas needing more focus. The diary card is a collaborative tool, with both the therapist and client using it to guide the therapy process.

The benefits of using this DBT Diary Card

The use of our free DBT Diary Cards in therapy offers several benefits:

• Enhanced self-awareness: Regularly tracking emotions and behaviors helps clients become more aware of their patterns and triggers.
• Improved skill utilization: By noting which DBT skills are used, clients can see which strategies are most effective.
• Facilitates open communication: The diary card is a starting point for therapy discussion, encouraging honesty and openness.
• Monitors progress: Diary cards can show trends and improvements over time, providing motivation and a sense of accomplishment.

Who should use this DBT Diary Card?

DBT Diary Cards are essential for individuals undergoing Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and their therapists. They are particularly useful for clients working on emotional regulation, reducing self-harm, and improving interpersonal skills. These cards aid in self-monitoring and reflection, encouraging mindfulness about behaviors, emotions, and thought patterns. Regular use helps clients identify triggers and patterns, fostering empowerment and insight.

For therapists, these cards offer valuable insights into the client's daily experiences, aiding in tailoring therapy sessions more effectively. They facilitate understanding clients' challenges, struggles, and progress, making therapy sessions more focused and productive. Overall, DBT Diary Cards are vital in enhancing the therapy process, providing critical insights for both clients and therapists, and improving the effectiveness of DBT treatment.

Research and evidence

The effectiveness of Dialectical Behavior Therapy, particularly for individuals with borderline personality disorder, is well-supported by research. Studies have shown that DBT can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of self-harming behaviors, decrease the rate of hospitalization, and improve overall functioning (Linehan, 1993; Linehan et al., 2006). The use of tools like DBT Diary Cards is integral to this success.

DBT Diary Cards help apply and integrate the skills learned in therapy into daily life. They encourage consistent practice and mindfulness, key components of DBT therapy. The structured approach provided by these cards allows for a more focused and effective therapy process, leading to better client outcomes.

References

Linehan, M. M. (1993). Cognitive-behavioral treatment of borderline personality disorder. Guilford Press.

Linehan, M. M., Comtois, K. A., Murray, A. M., Brown, M. Z., Gallop, R. J., Heard, H. L., ... & Lindenboim, N. (2006). Two-year randomized controlled trial and follow-up of dialectical behavior therapy vs. therapy by experts for suicidal behaviors and borderline personality disorder. Archives of General Psychiatry, 63(7), 757-766.