What is considered the highest priority target for DBT skills training?

In Dialectical Behavior Therapy, the highest priority target for skills training is to decrease behaviors that destroy therapy. This focus is crucial because when individuals engage in self-destructive behaviors or behaviors that disrupt the therapeutic process, it can undermine the effectiveness of therapy and hinder progress. By targeting these destructive behaviors, therapists can create a stable environment that fosters learning and development of new coping skills.

Addressing these behaviors is essential for maintaining the therapeutic relationship and ensuring that the individual can fully engage with the treatment. When the core issues that threaten the integrity of therapy are addressed, clients are better positioned to benefit from the DBT skills training that follows. This foundational aspect of DBT emphasizes the importance of establishing a safe and productive therapeutic space, where further skills for enhancing quality of life or improving social skills can be effectively taught and practiced.