Which of the following is a stage 2 target of treatment in DBT?

In Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), stage 2 primarily focuses on helping individuals deal with emotional regulation and increasing their capacity to tolerate and process emotions. While the answer provided mentions experiential avoidance as a stage 2 target, it is essential to clarify that the actual stage 2 targets of treatment are more specifically about addressing the emotional experiences that lead to avoidance behaviors and increasing involvement and willingness to experience these emotions.

In DBT, self-harm behaviors are primarily addressed in stage 1, where the focus is on safety and stabilization. Quality of life interference, such as issues arising from emotional dysregulation, is typically a target during stage 1 as well, where the aim is to reduce harmful behaviors that disrupt one’s life. Interpersonal conflicts may be addressed later in the treatment phases but are not specifically categorized as stage 2 targets.

Understanding that stage 2 is about enhancing emotional experience and reducing experiential avoidance highlights its importance in therapy. Individuals are encouraged to engage with their emotions more fully and work through the barriers that prevent emotional engagement. This focus helps facilitate a more integrated and comprehensive understanding of one's emotional life and relationships.