The Business of Practice

Clinical Psychology and the Biosocial Model: How DBT Addresses Emotion Dysregulation

Written by Owen Poindexter | Jun 17, 2025 8:54:33 PM

A core part of any approach to clinical psychology is how it conceives of emotional patterns and dysregulation. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) uses the biosocial model, which is a comprehensive framework that does not apply direct blame to the client, their parents, or others. Instead, it focuses on the interaction between the client’s natural sensitivities and the emotional environment they grew up in. The biosocial perspective dissolves anger and resentment, and provides a path toward better emotion regulation through DBT skills.