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.
I integrate DBT skills with nearly everybody I work with. DBT offers concrete ways to manage difficult situations, whether they're tolerating large amounts of distress, regulating emotions, being effective in interpersonal relationships, or developing mindfulness skills.
— Wade McDonald, Clinical Psychologist in Frisco, TXDialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is a type of talking therapy that is based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with an eastern philosophy influence. Alison utilizes DBT for people who feel emotions very intensely. DBT helps to understand and accept difficult feelings, learn skills to manage big feelings, and become able to make positive changes in your life.
— Alison Cunningham-Goldberg, Psychotherapist in New York, NYI am a Certified Dialectical Behavior Therapist (C-DBT)
— Jamie Suarez, Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Knoxville, TNCertified in DBT Therapy.
— Marni Coletti, Associate Marriage & Family Therapist in Portland, ORA fundamental premise of DBT is building a life we want to live in. It's goal-oriented and focuses on skills we can use and actions we can take to better our lives. DBT focuses on 4 core elements we can all learn more about: mindfulness, interpersonal-effectiveness, emotion-regulation and distress-tolerance.
— Damon Dodge, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Los Angeles, CAFeeling overwhelmed, out of control, or like your feelings are too much? Find yourself shutting down, lashing out, or doing whatever you can to distract yourself from negative thoughts? Through DBT, you'll build personalized strategies for distress tolerance, emotion regulation, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness. You'll develop a stronger sense of your values and preferences, practice setting healthier boundaries, and design a life worth living.
— Lisa Andresen, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in San Francisco, CADBT is an extension of CBT but with a mindfulness component. I find DBT helpful when working with clients who have difficulties in tolerating distress. Mindfulness is a helpful tool to teach clients to live with the tension and disappointment without reacting negatively. Through DBT, my clients can learn to identify emotional triggers and practice self-care skills that will support them when faced with stressors.
— Krista McDemus, Licensed Professional Counselor in Doylestown, PADBT is amazing for learning how to use mindfulness and values to approach making it through really painful, distressing times; learning how to name your emotions and what they help and hinder; upping your people skills at asking directly for what you want and need. DBT also helps us view ourselves and others with compassion and acceptance, helping us navigate life's pain effectively and with less suffering. It packages lots of helpful skills in a way that's easy to follow and practice.
— Shianling Weeks, Psychologist in San Francisco, CADBT combines standard cognitive-behavioral techniques along with acceptance, mindfulness and distress tolerance. DBT can help with treating anxiety, trauma, PTSD and substance use. DBT can help provide steps and ways to cope with any negative feelings and thoughts that may be coming up for you. DBT is evidence-based therapy modality that can provide healthy ways to manage your emotions, thoughts and beliefs.
— Avni Panchal, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Oakland, CADialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a cognitive-behavioral treatment originally developed by Marsha M. Linehan. Diagnosed herself with BPD, Linehan had insight into how to improve treatment services for this population. The goal of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy is to help people identify and use their strengths. In addition, this helps clients build self-esteem and positive feelings about life. Thus, DBT combines both cognitive and behavioral therapy techniques to further this goal.
— Newport Academy, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Orange, CADialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a cognitive-behavioral treatment originally developed by Marsha M. Linehan. Diagnosed herself with BPD, Linehan had insight into how to improve treatment services for this population. The goal of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy is to help people identify and use their strengths. In addition, this helps clients build self-esteem and positive feelings about life. Thus, DBT combines both cognitive and behavioral therapy techniques to further this goal.
— Newport Academy, Mental Health Counselor in Atlanta, GAI enjoy working with Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help both individuals & couples learn to emotionally regulate. DBT is also beneficial for treating: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Bipolar disorder, Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), Major depressive disorder, Substance use disorders. DBT is effective to help individuals and couples understand & accept difficult/intense feelings. DBT helps clients gain emotional intelligence & learn to manage their emotions.
— Melissa Gentry, Hypnotherapist in Beverly Hills, CAI offer DBT to help with emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, mindfulness, and distress tolerance.
— Niyera Hewlett, Licensed Professional Clinical CounselorThe skills of DBT are helpful in managing the daily difficulties of life, from emotional regulation to understanding and responding to situations. I also utilize the general approach of dialectics to better understand experiences and their meaning. In practice, this is often to try and resolve two opposing beliefs, or to incorporate material conditions and their impact into the emotional story being told.
— Jack Harmelin, Licensed Master of Social Work in Philadelphia, PADhihum uses techniques from DBT to help clients manage their concerns like anger, anxiety, relationship issues, and so on. She uses this in combination with other approaches and techniques to help the client achieve their goals.
— Dhihum Kour, Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York, NYDialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a modified type of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Its main goals are to teach people how to live in the moment, develop healthy ways to cope with stress, regulate their emotions, and improve their relationships with others. DBT was originally intended to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD), but it has been adapted to treat other mental health conditions.
— Allyse Teltser, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Roswell, GAWas a focus throughout my early training, co-facilitated several DBT skills groups for adolescents, adults and college students. Continue to integrate DBT skills into sessions. Completed training while living in Vermont.
— Jessica Besner, Licensed Professional CounselorWhen working with clients, Andrea incorporates Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), having completed the Dialectical Behavior Therapy Foundational Training through the Linehan Institute.
— Andrea Hamilton, Counselor in Bethesda, MDI trained in DBT in the DBT clinic at Mass General Hospital, one of the top psychiatry programs in the country. I find that DBT is very good at capturing the complexities of life through its foundation in Hegelian dialectics. Hegelian dialectics refer to the idea that two seemingly opposing things can both be true (e.g., I can love someone and also know that they are a toxic force in my life, or I can be so pissed off with someone and still choose to treat them with compassion).
— Calvin Fitch, Psychologist in Boston, MA