Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
You Can Learn to Navigate Difficult Emotions Without Being Overwhelmed by Them
When emotions feel intense, it can be difficult to know what to do with them or how to respond without making things harder. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) can help you develop practical skills for managing emotions, navigating relationships, tolerating distress, and responding to difficult situations with greater intention.
When Emotions Feel Bigger Than Your Ability to Handle Them
You may understand your reactions afterward, yet still find it difficult to respond differently when emotions run high. DBT can help you develop skills for navigating emotions, relationships, and difficult situations with greater intention.
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Emotions Feel Overwhelming
Strong emotions can feel like they take over before you have time to decide how you want to respond. DBT can help you understand these moments and build skills for navigating them.
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You React Before You Can Pause
You may say or do things in the moment that you later wish you'd handled differently. DBT can help create more space between what you feel and how you respond.
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Relationships Feel Hard to Navigate
Conflict, boundaries, or communicating your needs can become especially difficult when emotions run high. DBT can help you build skills for handling these moments more effectively.
What DBT Therapy Can Feel Like
DBT is a collaborative, skills-focused approach that combines acceptance with meaningful change. You and your therapist can work together to understand what happens when emotions become intense, learn practical skills for navigating those moments, and practice using those skills in ways that fit your everyday life.
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You Learn Skills You Can Actually Use
DBT gives you practical tools for managing emotions, tolerating distress, communicating effectively, and navigating difficult situations. The goal isn't just to understand what you're experiencing, but to have strategies you can use when you need them.
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You Practice Between the Moments That Matter
Therapy can be a place to learn and practice new skills before you need them in a difficult moment. You may work together to identify where a skill could fit into your daily life and what might make it easier to use when emotions run high.
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You Learn to Pause Before You Respond
Rather than expecting yourself to stop having difficult emotions, DBT can help you create more space between what you feel and what you do next. This can give you more opportunity to respond in ways that reflect your goals and values.
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You Work Toward Acceptance and Change
DBT recognizes that you can accept where you are while still wanting something to change. Therapy can help you build compassion for your current experience while developing new ways of responding, coping, and moving forward.
Creating Space Between What You Feel and What You Do Can Change What Happens Next
When emotions become intense, it can feel like your reactions happen before you have a chance to choose how you want to respond. DBT can help you develop skills that create more space between what you feel and what you do, giving you more opportunities to pause, communicate your needs, tolerate difficult moments, and make intentional choices. Over time, these skills can help you navigate emotions and relationships with greater confidence while building a life that feels more aligned with what matters to you.
Your Path Through Healing
There isn't one approach that works for everyone. Therapy can be tailored to your experiences, needs, and goals, drawing from different approaches to support you along the way.
Find a Therapist Who Feels Like a Good Fit
Finding the right therapist can make a meaningful difference in your experience of therapy. Get to know our therapists, learn about their approaches and areas of focus, and find someone who feels like a good fit for you. And if you're not sure where to start, that's okay—we can help you explore what kind of support may be right for you.
FAQs
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Not at all. DBT can be helpful for anyone who wants to better understand and manage difficult emotions, navigate relationships, tolerate stress, or respond to challenging situations more intentionally. You don't have to feel like your emotions are “out of control” to benefit from learning DBT skills.
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DBT is a skills-focused approach, so practicing between sessions can be an important part of the process. Your therapist may encourage you to try specific skills in your everyday life and notice what works, what doesn't, and where you may need additional support.
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No. DBT isn't about getting rid of difficult emotions or telling yourself not to feel them. Instead, it helps you develop skills to understand and tolerate emotions while choosing how you want to respond. The goal is to create more space between what you feel and what you do.
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Yes. DBT includes skills that can help you communicate more effectively, set boundaries, navigate conflict, and maintain relationships while staying connected to your own needs. You can learn ways to respond during difficult interactions without losing sight of what matters to you.
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Yes. Our therapists participate with a variety of insurance plans. Your cost will depend on your individual insurance benefits and the therapist you choose. We also offer self-pay options for clients who are not using insurance.
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Step 1: Connect With Us
Take the first step by contacting us. We're here to answer your questions and help you get started.
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Step 2: We'll Guide You
Together, we'll help you find the therapist who is the best fit for your needs, goals, and preferences.
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Step 3: Begin Healing Together
Meet your therapist, build a trusting relationship, and begin working toward meaningful growth and lasting change.