Behavioural and Dialectical Behaviour Therapies

This chapter focusses upon two variants of behaviour therapy, behaviour therapy for depression and dialectical behaviour therapy, in relation to bipolar disorder. First, we outline the principles and key components of these two approaches. Next, we explore the theoretical and empirical rationale for offering them to people with bipolar disorder. Drawing from the literature and from our own clinical experience, we then suggest how the two approaches can be adapted to work with this client group, including consideration of a fictionalised client. Finally, we consider the opportunities for integration of these two approaches.