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Intensive skills-based therapy combining acceptance and change strategies. DBT teaches mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness—critical skills for managing intense emotions and reducing self-harm.
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DBT is comprehensive therapy developed for borderline personality disorder and chronic suicidal behavior, now used for emotion dysregulation, self-harm, eating disorders, substance use. "Dialectical" means balancing acceptance (validating feelings as they are) and change (developing skills to manage them). DBT combines individual therapy, skills groups, phone coaching, and therapist consultation team for intensive, coordinated support.
DBT Philosophy: Your feelings are valid AND you can learn skills to manage them. You've survived everything so far AND you deserve better. Both are true simultaneously. This balance—acceptance and change—is DBT's power.
Gold-standard treatment. DBT specifically developed for BPD. Addresses emotion dysregulation, relationship instability, identity disturbance, impulsivity, self-harm.
For people using cutting, burning, or other self-injury to manage emotions. DBT teaches alternative coping strategies and emotional regulation.
For people with ongoing suicidal thoughts or multiple suicide attempts. DBT provides intensive support and crisis skills.
Intense, rapidly changing emotions. DBT teaches emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and skills for managing emotional intensity.
DBT adapted for eating disorders, especially binge-eating with emotion dysregulation. Addresses emotional drivers of behavior.
For people using substances to manage overwhelming emotions. DBT teaches alternative coping and emotion regulation.
Present-moment awareness without judgment. Noticing thoughts, feelings, sensations as they arise. Foundation for all other skills. Reduces rumination, increases ability to observe emotions without acting on them.
Skills for surviving crisis without self-destructive behavior. TIPP (temperature change, intense exercise, paced breathing, progressive relaxation), distracting (activities, people, places), self-soothing (sensory), thinking ahead.
Understanding emotions, identifying function, building emotional resilience. ABC PLEASE (accumulate positive experiences, build mastery, cope ahead, do pleasant activities, physical health, lessen vulnerability).
Communication skills, setting boundaries, asking for needs, saying no. DEAR MAN (describe, express, assert, reinforce, stay mindful, appear confident, negotiate) and GIVE (gentle, interested, validate, easy manner).
Individual Therapy (Weekly): 1-on-1 work with therapist addressing life problems, working toward behavioral goals, using DBT skills.
Skills Group (Weekly): 2-2.5 hour group teaching DBT modules. Mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness taught sequentially. Homework between sessions.
Phone Coaching (As Needed): Between-session support during crisis. 15-minute calls coaching through urges to self-harm, practicing skills in real-time.
Therapist Consultation Team (Weekly): Our DBT team meets to coordinate care, problem-solve treatment challenges, maintain DBT adherence, support therapist burnout.
Typically 12 months for full DBT with all components. Some people benefit from 6-month programs, others extend beyond 12 months. Duration depends on severity, responsiveness, goals. Regular assessment determines appropriate length.
No. Originally developed for BPD, now used for emotion dysregulation, chronic self-harm, substance use, eating disorders, PTSD, and other conditions. Any person struggling with overwhelming emotions benefits from DBT skills.
We work with where you are. Can start with individual therapy and skills group only (without phone coaching), or scale up as you progress. Flexibility built in to meet your readiness level.
Yes. DBT combined with medication very effective. Medication provides stability, DBT teaches skills. Best outcomes combine both. Coordinate psychiatry and therapy for comprehensive care.
If you struggle with intense emotions, self-harm urges, or relationship instability, DBT offers evidence-based skills for managing emotions and building meaningful life.
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Schedule DBT AssessmentNational Institute of Mental Health research on DBT.
American Psychiatric Association information on BPD and treatment.
Organization founded by DBT creator with training and resources.
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