Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a type of talk therapy that combines cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and behavioral therapy to help people manage negative emotions and learn interpersonal and emotion regulation skills. It was developed in the 1970s by Marsha Linehan, an American psychologist, and is specially adapted for people who experience emotions very intensely. DBT is especially effective for people who have difficulty managing and regulating their emotions. The main goal of DBT is to strike a balance between validation of who you are and your challenges and the benefits of change. DBT has been proven to help people with mental health conditions, including suicidal and other self-destructive behaviors.