The Biosocial Model in DBT: Emotion Dysregulation and Invalidating Environments

DBT’s biosocial model explains how symptoms arise. Emotion dysregulation is a product of emotional sensitivity and invalidating environments.
In this presentation, Dr. Stephanie Vaughn, Psy.D., explains the biosocial theory of how symptoms arise and are maintained.
Here are some highlights we’ve extracted from this video:
1. The equation for the biosocial model is emotional sensitivity plus an invalidating environment equals pervasive emotion dysregulation.
2. The biosocial model is transactional in nature.
Level up your clinical practice with Psychotherapy Academy! Designed exclusively for mental health clinicians, our e-learning platform offers practical tips, strategies, and CE credits. Join us now and enhance your skills.
Click here to watch the full video: psychotherapyacademy.org/sect...
Learn more about Dialectical Behavior Therapy and earn 5.25 CE credits: psychotherapyacademy.org/cour...
#dbt #EmotionDysregulation #BiosocialModel

[@JN25376]

Very helpful. Clear explanation. Thank you!

[@andreabrentano2008]

Then you work with Pete Walkers books on complex ptsd

[@NebUlaDeigns]

Wonderful explanation !

[@songbyrdnz]

Thanks. I’ve just realised I have not been validating my childrens emotion. I am copying the same parenting that has led me here.

[@kahlodiego5299]

I grew up in a very abusive bakery.😵

[@janelmiller5935]

me too. I hope DBT helps you

[@arturabr1206]

Hello. Thank you for that terrific explanation and illustration. 1 question: What do you mean by "doesn't fit"? It's like when we try on a t-shirt and it doesn't fit cause it's too small or big?

[@goshypimple13]

I guess an example would be an individual that requires constant affirmation but parents are too aggressive with their criticism

[@e.rosenfeld4193]

Essentially, it's when the emotionally vulnerable child is in an environment that doesn't model skills that are effective for that level of emotional arousal. For example, if the parents have temperaments that are pretty easy going, maybe the don't really experience intense emotions. So when they feel sad, watching a funny TV show or going for a run might be an effective coping strategy. But doing only those things wouldn't be enough to regulate a really intense emotion, which the child is prone to. So when the parents offer strategies that work for them but can't provide strategies that work for the child, it can subtly and unintentionally send the message that the child's emotions are invalid or out of proportion because this thing that "SHOULD" work doesn't work. So the child learns to question and invalidate their emotional experience and doesn't learn the coping skills necessary to deal with their emotional vulnerability. A mismatch can also be more overt like telling a child that they shouldn't get so upset or to stop crying or you'll give them something to cry about. It could also be a situation where maladaptive coping is modeled by the parents, such as substance abuse, anger outbursts, avoidance, or self-harm. And abuse is the ultimate invalidation because it tells the child that their emotions and feelings don't matter. I'm going to abuse you even though it hurts you, because your feelings aren't important to me. Basically, it's when the environment during childhood doesn't provide the child with adaptive strategies to cope with their intense emotions effectively.

[@arturabr1206]

@@e.rosenfeld4193 thank you!

[@e.rosenfeld4193]

@@arturabr1206 you're welcome!

[@Sarablueunicorn]

@@e.rosenfeld4193 Or a combination of all.

[@annastolz3599]

Love this clip, where can I find the whole thing?

[@psychotherapyacademy]

Hi Anna, you can get the online training here: bit.ly/3INbB1S

[@JL-kk9hl]

How do we know emotional sensitivity is inborn?

[@VellonWepa]

If dbt doesn’t work , what next?

[@GabrielaPedraza-dx6kz]

Then you’re not doing it

[@matt410]

*whose fault is it?