How DBT Addresses Suicide and Self-Harm

A Focus on Life-Saving Behaviors

DBT prioritizes reducing life-threatening behaviors, such as suicide attempts and self-harm, before addressing other concerns. The idea is simple: if someone is not safe, they can’t fully engage in therapy or build the life they want.

Therapists use techniques like:

• Behavioral analysis to understand the triggers, thoughts, and emotions that lead to harmful actions.
• Chain analysis to identify where interventions can prevent harmful behaviors in the future.

Building Emotional Regulation Skills

People who struggle with suicide and self-harm often experience intense emotional swings. DBT teaches practical tools to:

• Recognize and name emotions.
• Reduce the intensity of overwhelming feelings.
• Respond to emotions in healthier ways instead of acting on impulsive urges.
• Creating Alternatives to Crisis

In moments of distress, it can feel like there are no other options. The Distress Tolerance module in DBT provides techniques to survive intense emotions without resorting to self-harm or suicidal behaviors. Skills like self-soothing, distraction, and mindfulness help create space between the feeling and the action.

• Fostering a Sense of Connection

Many people struggling with suicide feel isolated or misunderstood. DBT emphasizes the importance of relationships and communication through the Interpersonal Effectiveness module, teaching skills like:

• Asking for help.
• Setting boundaries.
• Building and maintaining meaningful connections.
• Validation and Acceptance

One of the hallmarks of DBT is validation—helping individuals feel understood and accepted as they are, even while working toward change. This balance between acceptance and change is what makes DBT so powerful.