What is the primary function of individual therapy in Stage 1 of DBT?

The primary function of individual therapy in Stage 1 of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is to enhance coping mechanisms. This stage focuses on helping clients develop foundational skills necessary for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness. The goal is to teach clients to manage their intense emotions and behaviors effectively.

While improving client motivation is certainly important and part of therapy, it is not the primary function in this stage. The emphasis is on equipping clients with practical skills they can use in their daily lives to cope better with the challenges they face. Likewise, while addressing fears about emotions and facilitating group engagement are significant aspects of the overall DBT process, they are not the main focus of individual therapy in the initial stage. The key objective is to lay a solid groundwork that empowers clients to manage their emotions and behaviors proactively.