What is DBT?
Have you ever felt like your emotions grabbed the steering wheel, leaving you feeling like a passenger in your own life? DBT helps you learn the skills to sit back in the driver’s seat, acknowledging your emotions while choosing how you want to respond to them.
Originally developed to treat borderline personality disorder, DBT has since been shown to be effective for a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, emotion dysregulation, self-harm, and difficulties in relationships.
One of the things that makes DBT unique is its balance of acceptance and change. Rather than focusing only on changing behaviors or only on accepting difficult experiences, DBT helps individuals do both- accept themselves as they are, while learning new skills to build the life they want.
DBT teaches skills in four core areas:
Mindfulness: Learning to stay present and aware of your thoughts, emotions, and surroundings.
Distress Tolerance: Building healthy ways to get through difficult moments without making them worse.
Emotion Regulation: Understanding your emotions and learning strategies to respond to them more effectively.
Interpersonal Effectiveness: Strengthening communication skills, setting boundaries, and building healthier relationships.
A comprehensive DBT program includes several components that work together to support lasting change. In individual therapy, clients work one-on-one with their therapist to apply DBT skills to their personal goals and challenges. DBT skills groups provide a structured, supportive environment to learn and practice the four core skill areas alongside others. Many programs also use diary cards, which help clients track emotions, behaviors, urges, and skill use between sessions, making it easier to identify patterns and celebrate progress. Additionally, phone coaching offers brief, in-the-moment support to help clients apply DBT skills when they need them most in everyday life.
DBT isn't about eliminating difficult emotions, it's about learning how to respond to them more effectively. Over time, these skills can help you feel more confident navigating life's challenges, improve your relationships, and build a life that feels meaningful and worth living.
If you're interested in learning more about DBT, our clinicians at Mindful Behavioral Health are here to answer your questions and help you determine whether DBT is the right fit for your needs.
