DBT Crisis Intervention and Safety Flashcards

In DBT, what is the primary goal of 'safety planning'?

Answer: To create a structured plan the client can use to manage suicidal crises and stay safe

Safety planning in DBT involves creating a personalized, step-by-step plan clients can follow during suicidal crises, including skills to use, people to contact, and crisis resources.

What is 'means restriction counseling' in DBT safety planning?

Answer: Discussing and reducing the client's access to lethal means for self-harm

Means restriction counseling involves working with clients and their support system to reduce access to lethal means (e.g., firearms, medications) to reduce suicide risk.

What does DBT emphasize about hospitalization for suicidal clients?

Answer: Hospitalization should be used judiciously as it can reinforce suicidal behavior if used as an escape from life stressors

DBT emphasizes using hospitalization carefully and only when truly necessary, as frequent or automatic hospitalization can inadvertently reinforce suicidal behavior by removing the client from life stressors.

What is the 'STOP' skill in DBT distress tolerance?

Answer: Stop, Take a step back, Observe, Proceed mindfully

STOP stands for Stop, Take a step back, Observe, and Proceed mindfully — a skill for pausing and creating space before reacting impulsively in a crisis.

In DBT, what is the 'dialectical dilemma' of 'active passivity vs. apparent competence'?

Answer: Clients oscillating between helpless passivity in getting needs met and appearing more capable than they are, making it hard to get appropriate help

Active passivity vs. apparent competence describes how BPD clients may passively rely on others to solve problems while also appearing so competent that others fail to provide necessary support.

Which DBT concept refers to behaviors that threaten to disrupt therapy itself?

Answer: Therapy-interfering behaviors (TIBs)

Therapy-interfering behaviors (TIBs) are the second priority in DBT's hierarchy and include actions by clients or therapists that threaten to undermine or end the therapeutic relationship.