ABSTRACT
A major theoretical underpinning of DBT's conceptualization of BPD is that as a result of the combination of emotional vulnerability and invalidating environments clients have skills de®cits (Point 5). DBT utilizes the different modalities of treatment to achieve the three key tasks in skills training: skill acquisition, skill strengthening and skill generalization. DBT skills groups focus primarily on skills acquisition and a degree of skills strengthening. Within the individual therapy component, the therapist strengthens skills by identifying opportunities to utilize either new or weak skills, rehearsing those skills with the client and tailoring them to the client's particular circumstances. Generalization modalities focus on ensuring that skills learnt or strengthened in therapy transfer to the client's non-therapy environment.
