Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was developed for people who experience emotions intensely. If you struggle with emotional regulation, self-destructive behaviors, or turbulent relationships, DBT provides practical skills for building a life worth living. Our DBT-trained therapists offer individual therapy incorporating core DBT principles.
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Dialectical Behavior Therapy combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices drawn from Zen Buddhism. The “dialectical” part refers to balancing opposites—particularly acceptance AND change.
DBT teaches that you can accept yourself as you are while still working to change behaviors that aren’t serving you. This balance is especially helpful for people who’ve felt invalidated or told they’re “too much.”
Originally developed for borderline personality disorder, DBT is now used for many conditions involving emotional dysregulation, including:
The foundation of DBT. Learning to be present, observe without judgment, and participate fully in the current moment.
Skills for surviving crisis moments without making things worse. TIPP, STOP, radical acceptance, and other techniques for intense emotions.
Understanding emotions, reducing vulnerability, and changing unwanted emotions. Building positive experiences and mastery.
Getting what you need from relationships while maintaining self-respect and the relationship itself. DEAR MAN, GIVE, FAST skills.
The integration of emotional mind (feelings) and reasonable mind (logic). DBT helps you access this balanced state where you can make effective decisions.
Fully accepting reality as it is, without approving or resigning. Fighting reality creates suffering; acceptance creates space for change.
Holding two seemingly opposite truths at once. “I am doing my best AND I need to do better.” This reduces black-and-white thinking.
Learning to validate your own emotions and experiences. If you grew up being told your feelings were wrong or too much, this can be transformative.
The ultimate goal of DBT isn’t just reducing symptoms—it’s creating a life that feels meaningful and worth living.
DBT was originally developed for borderline personality disorder but is now used for anyone struggling with emotional regulation, self-harm, impulsivity, or relationship instability.
DBT teaches four skill sets: mindfulness, distress tolerance (surviving crises), emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness (communication and boundaries).
DBT adds mindfulness and acceptance strategies to CBT techniques. It specifically addresses emotional intensity and includes distress tolerance skills.
Traditional DBT includes group skills training, but we offer individual DBT-informed therapy that incorporates core DBT concepts and skills.
Book a free consultation to learn how DBT can help you manage intense emotions and build the life you want.
