The PMHNP is treating a 26-year-old woman who has borderline personality disorder (BPD). Today, the client says her most recent breakup has left her "completely devastated" and she is thinking about cutting herself. The PMHNP knows dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) is the most effective form of therapy for patients with BPD. In this case, which of the following would be a goal of DBT?

Choice A reason: DBT aims to improve emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness, which includes enhancing accurate communication of emotions and competencies. Decreasing such communication is contrary to DBT goals. Choice B reason: Self-invalidation is a maladaptive behavior often seen in BPD. DBT works to reduce self-invalidation and promote self-acceptance and validation. Choice C reason: A core goal of DBT is to decrease emotional reactivity by teaching mindfulness, distress tolerance, and emotion regulation skills. This helps clients respond to emotional triggers more adaptively. Choice D reason: DBT seeks to reduce crisis-generating behaviors such as self-harm and impulsivity. Increasing such behaviors would be counterproductive and is not a therapeutic goal.