Changing Behavior in DBT

“Readers are lucky to get a book by these two fabulous DBT therapists and trainers. This is particularly true when the topic is problem solving. We all know that this is often the significant challenge facing our clients: they cannot solve the major problems of their lives. But helping a client solve life problems isn't easy. This book by two therapists who know what they are doing is going to help you immensely.”

—from the Foreword by Marsha M. Linehan, PhD, ABPP, Professor and Director Emeritus, Behavioral Research and Therapy Clinics, University of Washington; developer of DBT


“If you really want to increase your adherence to DBT, this is a 'must read,' written by true experts. This book will instantly help DBT clinicians—novices and veterans alike—improve the application of all key DBT problem-solving strategies and develop more precise behavioral formulations. I will recommend it to all of my colleagues and trainees.”

—Alec L. Miller, PsyD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Montefiore Medical Center of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine


“With elegance and clarity, Heard and Swales elucidate the cognitive-behavioral principles and problem-solving techniques at the core of DBT. Every chapter is grounded in clinical examples. For beginning students of psychotherapy, the book will effectively introduce evidence-based behavioral change methods, seamlessly blending the theoretical and practical. For experienced DBT clinicians, the book will sharpen the use of problem-solving tools, as it did for me. Each chapter takes up a core DBT practice, details the underlying principles and the use of strategies, and ends with a remarkably helpful troubleshooting guide for noticing and solving typical problems in application.”

—Charles R. Swenson, MD, Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School


“This book holds a microscope to the precise moments in DBT when the goal is to change an unwanted behavior, describing with remarkable clarity what the therapist must do to bring that change about. All distractions and distortions are stripped away—here is the nitty-gritty of targeting, chain/solution analysis, exposure, contingency management, and skills training, with sharp-focus clinical examples. The chapters are worth reading for the ‘common problems’ sections alone. Students and practitioners should read this book and keep it close at hand.”

—Christine Dunkley, DClinP, Department of Psychology, University of Bangor, United Kingdom


“An instant classic. The authors are pioneers in DBT who draw on extensive clinical experience to outline key principles and strategies of problem solving, highlight challenges that clinicians frequently encounter, and offer excellent explanations and practical advice for tackling and overcoming them. This is an essential addition to the bookshelf of any clinician interested in, or practicing, DBT. It will certainly be prominent on mine for many years to come.”

—Maggie Stanton, DClinPsych, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Lead, Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom