Dialectical Behavior Therapy
NEW OFFERING:
DBT women's virtual skills group beginning 1/26/2026.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an empirically validated treatment model designed to address problems of extreme emotion dysregulation, parasuicidal and suicidal behaviors. DBT was developed by Marsha Linehan in the late 1980’s after other treatment protocols were unsuccessful in decreasing the chronic behaviors of a specific diagnostic group.
DBT is best described as a synthesis of mindfulness, behavioral science, and dialectical philosophy. Together these elements are used to decrease severely dysfunctional behaviors and increase skillful living. It reframes dysfunctional behaviors as part of an individual's learned pattern of problem solving. Therapy emphasizes active problem solving techniques, skills training, and validation.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) offers individuals comprehensive skills to manage painful memories and emotions and decrease conflicts in their relationships. This modality focuses on five specific areas of therapeutic skills. These are:
- Mindfulness – Teaches how to stay present, aware, and int he moment without judgment. These skills reduce emotional reactivity, increase clarity, and support wise decision making.
- Distress tolerance – Learning how to cope with intense emotions. These skills focus on surviving emotional crises, accepting reality, and reducing harmful behaviors.
- Emotion regulation – Learning how to manage, and change intense emotions in healthy and effective ways. These skills build emotional awareness, reduce emotional dysregulation, and increase the ability to experience emotions without feeling overwhelmed.
- Interpersonal effectiveness – Teach how to communicate clearly, maintain healthy relationships, and honor their own needs while respecting others.
- Walking the middle path - Finding a balanced flexible way to think and act by holding two truths at the same time.
I added a self-compassion skill set based on the work of Kristen Neff. These skills enhance DBT skills.
If you believe you may benefit from dialectical behavior therapy, please get in touch with me.