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Essentially, “dialectics” means opposites. In Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) the concept of dialectics refers to two things that are seemingly opposites, but are true at the same time. The goal would then be to find the Middle Path.
For example, “People are doing the best they can, and they can do better.” Both are true at the same time. People do not set out in the morning to do poorly. They are doing the best they can with their current knowledge, emotional state, and skill set. They can also learn and practice skills so that they can do better.
Working with dialectics means being open to considering an opposing idea and to finding the kernel of truth in that argument. By recognizing truths in both sides of the argument, it is possible to find a blending or synthesis or the Middle Path.
Black-and-white thinking (or all-or-nothing thinking) is a cognitive distortion that prohibits seeking the Middle Path. By definition, this type of thinking keeps a person entrenched on one side of the equation, which is very “un-DBT.”
Commonly discussed dialectics in DBT include:
- Acceptance vs. Change (Tolerating was is vs. Changing things)
- Emotion Mind vs. Reasonable Mind
- Responsibility vs. Fun
- Independence vs. Dependence
It is true that the Middle Path is not always clear. It can be fuzzy, confusing, and ever-changing. For this reason, people resist it and seek safety in prescribed rules with clear expectations and boundaries. This can be a fruitless and frustrating venture, since the world just does not fit into this clean and clear mold.