What is the primary function of phone coaching in DBT?

The primary function of phone coaching in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is to help clients generalize the skills they learn in therapy to their everyday lives. This is crucial for the effectiveness of DBT, as the ultimate goal is to have clients utilize these skills in real-world situations where they may experience emotional distress or interpersonal challenges.

Phone coaching allows clients to reach out to their therapist in moments of need, providing them with immediate support to apply learned skills effectively. Instead of simply relying on therapy sessions, phone coaching encourages clients to actively practice and implement their coping strategies in the context of their current situations. This reinforces their learning and helps them build confidence in using these skills independently.

While providing emergency support, facilitating family communication, and assessing treatment progress are important aspects of overall therapeutic practice, they are not the defining purpose of phone coaching within the DBT model. The emphasis is on skill generalization, which is fundamental to ensuring that clients can maintain their progress and manage crises effectively outside of therapy sessions.