Dr. Marsha M. Linehan Biography

Marsha M. Linehan

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)

is a system of therapy that combines standard cognitive-behavioral techniques for emotion regulation and reality-testing with concepts of distress tolerance, acceptance, and mindful awareness largely derived from Buddhist meditative practice.

Mindfulness is one of the core concepts

behind all elements of DBT.

It is considered a

foundation for the other skills taught in DBT,

because it helps individuals accept and tolerate

the powerful emotions they may feel when challenging their habits or exposing themselves to upsetting situations.

Linehan relationship with Mental Illness: Bibliography and background

*It is only recently that Linehan shared her Mental Illness with the public

During a speech at the Institute of Living in Hartford, Connecticut on June 17, 2011, Dr. Linehan disclosed that she suffered from borderline personality disorder.

In an article published at the New York Times website on June 23, 2011, she disclosed her own history of self-harm and multiple suicide attempts, as well as her own efforts through therapy to recover from the disorder and live a healthy, productive life.

“So many people have begged me to come forward, and I just thought — well, I have to do this. I owe it to them. I cannot die a coward.” (NYtimes) Dr. Linehan, 68, who told her story in public for the first time before an audience of friends, family and doctors at the Institute of Living, the Hartford clinic where she was first treated for extreme social withdrawal at age 17.

She was driven by a mission to rescue people who are chronically suicidal, often as a result of borderline personality disorder, an enigmatic condition characterized in part by self-destructive urges.

Linehan's found healing in accepting herself as she was.

She asserted the idea of...

Radical Acceptance: that it is the basis of treatment: Acceptance of life as it is, not as it is supposed to be; and the need to change, despite that reality and because of it.

She sensed the power of healing through prayer.

In 1971 she accepted herself as someone who suffers from Mental illness and it made all the difference:

“One night I was kneeling in there, looking up at the cross, and the whole place became gold — and suddenly I felt something coming toward me,” she said. “It was this shimmering experience, and I just ran back to my room and said, ‘I love myself.’ It was the first time I remember talking to myself in the first person. I felt transformed.” The tranformation ultimately influenced her ideals on DBT practices.

Marsha M. Linehan is an American psychologist and author.

Linehan is a Professor of Psychology, Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington and Director of the Behavioral Research and Therapy Clinics

Her primary research is in the application of behavioral models to suicidal behaviors, drug abuse, and borderline personality disorder.

She is also working to develop

models for transferring

treatments from the research academy to the clinical community.

Linehan is the developer of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a type of psychotherapy that combines behavioral science with concepts of acceptance and mindfulness, derived from eastern and western contemplative practices.

Mindfulness

Understanding Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and a look at Linehan's relationship with Mental Health

AWARDS:Linehan has earned several awards for her research and clinical work, including the Louis I. Dublin award for Lifetime Achievement in the Field of Suicide in 1999, The Outstanding Educator Award for Mental Health Education from the New England Educational Institute in 2004, and Career Achievement Award from the American Psychological Association in 2005

In 1977, Linehan took a position at the University of Washington as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Psychiatry and Behavior Sciences department.

Linehan is currentlyProfessor of Psychology and a Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington and Director of the Behavioral Research and Therapy Clinics.

During her time at Loyola University, Linehan served as lecturer for the psychology program. After leaving Loyola University, Linehan started her predoctoral internship at The Suicide Prevention and Crisis Service in Buffalo, New York between 1971-1972.

From Buffalo, Linehan completed her Post-Doctoral fellowship in Behavior Modification at Stony Brook University

She continued her education at Loyola University, receiving a M.A in 1970 and Ph.D. in 1971, both in Clinical Psychology.

1961 she became a resident at the Institute of Living in Hartford, first diagnosed with schizophrenia after injuring herself.

Linehan later attended Loyola University in Chicago in 1968 where she graduated B.S in Psychology.

She was treated for "extreme social withdrawal" and suffered from what would later become known as borderline personality disorder.

Linehan is the past-president of the Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy, a fellow of both the American Psychological Association and the American Psychopathological Association and a diplomat of the American Board of Behavioral Psychology.

Linehan was born

in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

2011

(cc) image by jantik on Flickr

DBT strives to have the patient view the therapist as an ally rather than an adversary in the treatment of psychological issues.

2000's

1970's .....

1971...........72

1961

Born May 5th,

1943

Her first core insight was to recognize that the chronically

suicidal patients she studied had

been raised in profoundly invalidating environments, and, therefore, required a climate of unconditional acceptance

Infamous NYtimes article

Photo based on: 'horizon' by pierreyves @ flickr

DBT involve two components

Her second insight involved the need for a commitment from patients to be willing to accept their dire level of emotional dysfunction.

Individual

The therapist and patient discuss issues that come up during the week (recorded on diary cards) and follow a treatment target. During the individual therapy, the therapist and patient work towards improving improving one's life

Group

Neither component is used by itself; the individual component is considered necessary to keep suicidal urges or uncontrolled emotional issues from disrupting group sessions,

A group ordinarily meets once weekly for two to two-and-a-half hours and learns to use specific skills that are broken down into four skill modules: core mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance.

while the group sessions teach the skills unique to DBT, and also provide practice with regulating emotions and behavior in a social context.