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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Meet the specialists

 

I utilize Dialectical Behavioral Therapy in my work with children and adolescence to support them with developing resiliency. I utilize elements of Radically Open DBT to support my clients struggling with restrictive disordered eating.

— Amanda Hagos, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Fremont, CA

DBT is a helpful therapy for individuals wanting to gain insight and tools to navigate overwhelming emotions.

— Abby Endashaw, Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in Austin, TX
 

I have experience integrating DBT skills spanning over 5 years of work. I first learned to apply DBT at an inpatient center for eating disorders, and have since worked to apply DBT skills with all sorts of intense emotional challenges. I often use a variety of treatments to meet individual needs.

— Kim Lycan, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Richland, WA

I have spent 4 years studying and using DBT in my personal life and with my clients. I utilize the DBT skills of mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness to help my clients create a life worth living.

— Amanda Wetegrove-Romine, Psychologist in San Antonio, TX
 

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy designed to help individuals manage intense emotions, improve interpersonal relationships, and develop coping skills. It combines techniques such as mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness to promote emotional stability and overall well-being.

— Dexter Mai, Associate Clinical Social Worker

I've participated in comprehensive DBT training, and have over two years experience co-facilitating and teaching weekly DBT skills group in community mental health. I've used DBT to successfully treat borderline personality, suicidal ideation, PTSD, and other hard-to-treat conditions. Challenging clients to think dialectically, I provide clients a variety of coping skills to better tolerate distress & regulate emotions, which allows clients opportunities to engage in new behaviors.

— Cameron Lewis, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Redmond, WA
 

I have used DBT strategies since the beginning of my therapy practice, and enjoy seeing the results from DBT's mindfulness, distress tolerance, and emotional regulation skills.

— Rachel Allen, Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in Southlake, TX

I offer a DBT informed approach (not strictly DBT as I pull from other modalities when appropriate) as to me it is the most all encompassing therapy I have come across. It helps teach life skills such as mindfulness practice, radical acceptance, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness and emotional regulation. All such skills can help with most mental health challenges and addictive tendencies.

— Krissy Moses, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Winter Park, FL
 

I have received an intensive 2 year training in DBT and have led a DBT group. This orientation is incorporated into each session.

— Karen Maloney, Licensed Professional Counselor in Portland, OR

Work through Crisis, Trauma, Abuse and Relationship Issues with Dialectical Behavioral Skills. We offer both individual and DBT Workshops. Feel free to reach out for either a free consult or join our DBT Workshops.

— Alex Honigman, Psychotherapist in Santa Monica, CA
 

I do not provide "pure DBT" which must include a DBT skills training group in addition to individual DBT therapy to be truly DBT. However, I teach clients skills from the DBT modules to help clients be present with their lived experience and move towards valued living or "what matters."

— Rachelle Miller, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Spokane Valley, WA

Sometimes our feelings feel like facts and DBT can serve to shrink the perceptions we may have about this. DBT is an emotion-focused form of therapy, with several principles derived from CBT in order to highlight the relationship between thoughts and feelings. DBT is also a skills-based therapy as well and I believe that the more you practice, the more you progress.

— Dylan Daugherty, Licensed Professional Counselor in Dallas, TX
 

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 do not consider myself an expert in anything but more of a general practitioner however in my journey and experience DBT has been one of the most useful approaches for me and others. Evidence-based practices over the past decade such as DBT really have become the gold standard of care all over the country and internationally as well.

— Aaron Relyea, Licensed Professional Counselor in , TX
 

DBT 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, CA

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

— Niyera Hewlett, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
 

I utilize Dialectical Behavioral Therapy in my work with children and adolescence to support them with developing resiliency. I utilize elements of Radically Open DBT to support my clients struggling with restrictive disordered eating.

— Amanda Hagos, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Fremont, CA