Conditions like personality disorders and bipolar depression are notoriously difficult to address with traditional talk therapy techniques. In the late 1970s, a therapist, Marsha M. Lineham, started developing dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) as part of her work with women who had a history of self-harm and suicidal ideation. She found that many of these women didn’t achieve symptom alleviation with the newly developed cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other traditional forms of talk therapy, and she wanted to develop an approach that would benefit them. Like any form of talk therapy, DBT is not the best option for everyone, so you can learn more about this approach to therapy by reading below or chatting with me during an initial consultation.

DBT is a form of talk therapy that was developed out of CBT, a talk therapy approach that involves learning skills to change negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. DBT builds off this basic therapy structure, creating a form of talk therapy that is focused on embracing the self and accepting reality while supporting them to change damaging or unhelpful thoughts, feelings, and actions. DBT helps people find healthier ways of responding to or managing intense emotions.

Because this form of talk therapy has proven especially beneficial to improve emotional regulation, it’s often used to treat the effects of mood and personality disorders, including:

• Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Bipolar depression
• Severe anxiety disorders
• Self-harm or mutilation
• Suicidal ideation
• Substance use disorders
• Eating disorders
• Gambling addictions

Throughout DBT therapy sessions, you’ll work with a therapist to learn beneficial emotional regulation skills. That starts with an assessment visit. During the assessment session or sessions, I’ll ask a number of questions, and I may ask you to fill out rating skills to help me understand your current experience with emotional dysregulation. After the assessment visit, you’ll set goals for your DBT sessions. From there, we’ll work together during individual therapy appointments, group skills training sessions, and/or telephone crisis counseling to learn emotional regulation skills and apply them during your daily life.

DBT emotional regulation skills focus on:

• Mindfulness – learning to remain focused and aware of the present moment rather than worrying over past or future events.
• Distress tolerance – learning healthy ways of responding during distressing situations and minimizing harmful responses.
• Interpersonal effectiveness – being able to set boundaries in relationships and maintain space for your own needs as well as learning to ask for help and rely on others.

Emotion regulation – increased awareness and healthy management of emotions.