Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based psychotherapy, first developed in the 1980s by Marsha M. Linehan, to treat patients suffering from borderline personality disorder. Since then, DBT’s use has broadened and now it is regularly employed as part of a treatment plan for people struggling with behaviors or emotions they can't control. This can include eating disorders, substance abuse, self-harm, and more. DBT is a skills-based approach that focuses on helping people increase their emotional and cognitive control by learning the triggers that lead to unwanted behaviors. Once triggers are identified, DBT teaches coping skills that include mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. A therapist specializing in DBT will help you to enhance your own capabilities, improve your motivation, provide support in-the-moment, and better manage your own life with problem-solving strategies. Think this approach might work for you? Reach out to one of TherapyDen’s DBT specialists today.

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Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based therapy derived from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy and Positive Psychology. I use elements of DBT in my work with clients and I can also provide full scope DBT to clients who would like to use exclusively DBT.

— Danielle Greenspan, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Sacramento, CA

I have undergone intensive training in DBT and have been practicing with it since 2014. Not only do I understand the skills, I have a firm understanding of foundational principles and how to utilize the modality as a whole to shift perspective and create with clients a different approach to life. The goal of this treatment is to help clients build a life worth living and it is one of the most researched and supported models of therapy.

— Darcy Holm, Counselor in ,
 

Throughout my career, DBT has been a useful technique utilized within crisis intervention and treatment. I specialize in incorporating DBT skills, such as mindfulness and emotional regulation, to reduce self-destructive thoughts and behaviors. DBT has been an essential treatment orientation with my experience as a clinician for at risk teens over the years. Within my practice, DBT skills continually enhance client resilience by increasing stress tolerance and interpersonal effectiveness.

— Ishanie Sanchez, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Staten Island, NY

I use DBT with almost all my clients who struggle with emotional regulation and issues with interpersonal relationships. I have used DBT for with individuals, adolescents, children and couples.

— Kristina Damiano, Mental Health Counselor in New York, NY
 

DBT and RO-DBT (Radically Open DBT) are treatment modalities founded on the idea that the combination of your genetics and the environment you are in explain the ways we cope with stressors in life (whether helpful or harmful). Both models provide you with tangible skills to manage emotions and change behavior. RO-DBT addresses problems of "over control" such as restrictive eating disorders, perfectionism, self-judgment, rigidity, and treatment resistant depression.

— Chloe Cox, Psychotherapist in Irvine, CA

DBT aims to help people create lives worth living. For treatment with DBT to be considered comprehensive, it needs to include all four of these modes of treatment, including: • Individual therapy to enhance motivation • Skills groups to enhance capabilities • Phone coaching to generalize skills to natural environment • Consultation team meetings to enhance therapist motivation and capability

— Amy Studer, Licensed Professional Counselor in , MO
 

I have extensive training and experience in using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help people build skills to manage emotion regulation, improve relationships, and improve a positive sense of self. This treatment offers practical skill building to improve mindfulness of the experience of emotions, and tools to change emotional reactivity. DBT is useful in reducing suicidal thoughts, reducing substance use, improving mood and decreasing anxiety.

— Lauren Hadley, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Campbell, CA

I have been a highly specialized DBT therapist (not certified) for a little over 6-7 years. I have developed DBT programs for organizations and ran several highly successful DBT and RO DBT groups for adolescents and adults.

— Lauren O, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Cincinnati, OH
 

"The term "dialectical" comes from the idea that bringing together two opposites in therapy -- acceptance and change -- brings better results than either one alone. A unique aspect of DBT is its focus on acceptance of a patient's experience as a way for therapists to reassure them -- and balance the work needed to change negative behaviors." (Taylor, 2022)

— Carol Ciancutti, Licensed Mental Health Counselor in , NY

Applying and developing mastery in the principles of DBT allow us space to hold our emotions, relationships and stress without being burnt out or feeling beat down. Together, we learn how to build out these muscles until they become second nature.

— Jonathan Vargas, Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York, NY
 

I offer DBT to help with emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, mindfulness, and distress tolerance.

— Niyera Hewlett, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

Through individual counseling, you can move from surviving to thriving. If you are struggling with chronic anger, unstable relationships, poor self-esteem, or feeling out of control with your emotions, counseling can help you reduce the suffering that comes with these issues.

— Steve Helsel, Licensed Professional Counselor in Commerce Charter Township, MI
 

I have extensive training and experience with Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). I originally led an inpatient DBT-informed program. Since transitioning to private practice, I have been specializing in DBT applications for anxiety and panic disorders.

— Dr. Jennifer McManus, Psychologist in Jacksonville, FL

In 2002, I received two weeks of paid training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy through San Mateo County in California. They were opening a new residential treatment center, and DBT was going to be the focus for treatment. I ran DBT groups with the county for over twelve years. I currently use DBT in all parts of my practice and run a bi-weekly art therapy/ DBT group.

— Deann Acton, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Austin, TX
 

I have extensive clinical experience, coursework, and additional ceu training and certification n using DBT for a variety of clinical concerns.

— Marylyn Sines, Psychologist in Southlake, TX

Skills Training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy from the Lineham institute.

— Genniffer Williams, Licensed Professional Counselor in Euless, TX
 

I have been applying DBT skills training with adolescents and adults since I began practicing therapy in 2011. I recently refreshed my skills by completing an 18 hour DBT for Adolescents and Families training.

— Kristen Hornung, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Encinitas, CA