What On Earth Is Dialectics?
A “dialectic” stance emphasizes the synthesis of opposites. For instance, one synthesis of opposites inherent in DBT is the combination of eastern mindfulness practices and western behavioral therapy. Multiple tensions simultaneously occur in therapy with clients with difficult-to- treat disorders. Life is chaotic and contradictory. These conditions are often intolerable to those clients and often lead to ineffective attempts to tolerate the contradictions – self-harm and suicide, for instance. Dialectical thinking is a skill that can replace the rigid, argumentative and polarized position often taken by such a client – DBT teaches that life is full of opposites and that there are ways we can balance in the middle. The DBT therapist holds a dialectical stance: non-judgmental and transparent and focused on insisting on change. The DBT therapist validates the reasons why her client is using certain (outmoded) coping strategies and behaviors – these behaviors actually make sense, in a way
