What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?

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Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a structured, short-term approach to therapy to treat individuals with various mental health concerns, such as self-destructive behaviors, emotional regulation difficulties, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and other trauma-related disorders.

DBT helps you accept yourself as you are, despite negative patterns of thinking you may have due to various life experiences. This acceptance makes more room for you to change negative thinking that may harm your mental health.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy teaches you tolerance to more adequately cope with negative or difficult emotions and strategies to change behavior and reduce negative thoughts.

Your therapist will help you recognize and name your feelings as they arise without judging them or shaming yourself for experiencing them. You will also practice distress tolerance by finding ways to cope with destructive urges more positively. Your therapist might also include mindfulness techniques, which teach you to be present in the moment.

DBT can be used individually or in a group setting. Group settings for DBT help practice skills and work on interpersonal communication, as another goal of DBT is to improve relationship skills.

Therapists Who Specialize in Using Dialectical Behavior Therapy 

Through my 15 years of being a foster/adopt parent, I have experienced how trauma, attachment, anxiety, learning disorders, Autism, ADHD, and mood disorders, affect daily functioning and the ability to enjoy life. I have come to appreciate how important it is to feel a sense of safety and belonging. We are biologically wired to need connections/relationships for optimal growth and development....

Jocelyn Ivy

Knoxville

Tennessee

I have always been interested in understanding the world from other people's points of view. I realize that every person sees the world from their own unique perspective and that we are all shaped by the lives we have lived and how we chose to tell our stories. Sometimes we experience things in life that we don't know how to handle on our own--or that we would like to handle differently. It is...
While the counseling process can be both scary and beautiful, I seek to provide compassionate, enthusiastic, and dedicated counseling services. I strive to create a non-judgmental, safe, and empathetic environment. My hope is this environment and our therapeutic alliance is conducive to one’s exploration of his or her own experience in which I will explore WITH you. Also, my therapy dog *in...
With over 40 years experience Ross believes that therapy is a contract developed by the client and therapist focused on the goals of the client which are observable and measurable. As a veteran Ross feels a special connection in treating veterans. Ross comes to Livingston Psychological Services with extensive experience in treating a vast array of issues and problems encountered by individuals....
I am a licensed clinical social worker in Ohio with certification in Dialectical Behavior Therapy. I received my MSSA from Case Western Reserve University. I have experience working with at-risk adults who are living with severe mental illness in both agency and community settings. My areas of expertise include: moderate to severe mood and behavioral disorders, trauma-related disorders,...

Shelise Decal

San Diego

California

Humans have a biological need to feel safe and worthy of love. In a world that repeatedly invalidates sensitivity and vulnerability, it’s not surprising that many of us struggle to feel happy, attain goals and find fulfilling romantic relationships. Some of us turn to substances, while others over function. If we are parents, we may find that we accidently repeat hurtful dynamics with our own...
Life has more than enough obstacles, challenges and events that leave us with wounds. And, while we have family and friends that try to be of help, often we don't get the best, unbiased advice. Counselors are the friendly ear, the non-judgmental person, with a broad perspective to help you get through those times when life gets difficult. Transitions such as marriage or divorce, or the loss of...
I believe in meeting the client where they are at with evidence-based approaches. I am here to help you through whatever challenges life has thrown your way. My approach is client centered, and I will work with you to meet your goals. I have experience working with life transition, anxiety, depression, addiction, trauma, personality disorders and more. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Seekin...
Hi there! My name is Libbie Henrie, and I am a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) under the supervision of Terri Roman, LPC. My passion is working with teens and women struggling with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, domestic violence and abuse trauma, and other traumatic events. I utilize cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and mindfulness to help my...

Johanna Cooke

Fresno

California

The therapy experience is a unique and dynamic process for each individual toward self realization. From a client-centered strengths-based orientation, it is my goal to create a safe environment with unconditional positive regard, in which each person can feel welcomed, understood, and accepted as their true self. I specialize in working with children, adolescents and families. I also provide...
Whether you are experiencing difficulty because of painful experiences from childhood, more recent, or current circumstances that have led to stress, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, emotional issues, co-dependency, loss/grief, trauma, and relationship issues -- I would love to help. I strive to create a relaxed and accepting environment that allows you to explore not only your struggles but...
As a thirty year veteran in Clinical Social Work, I worked for many years at the premier Harvard teaching hospital for Psychiatry in Boston.. I am an eclectic therapist. My clinical work is based upon a psychodynamic foundation to which I have integrated Cognitive and/or Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness and Relaxation Training, Family Systems Models and Coaching. In my initial assessme...
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor looking forward to helping you (or a loved one) work through difficulties in life. Everyone experiences struggles and challenges in various ways, and my goal is to help you understand the best ways to cope with stressors. My specialties include working with adults/young-adults who deal with symptoms of mood disorders, depression, anxiety/panic, grief/loss...
Welcome! I am pleased to be accepting new clients in my private practice. As a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC), I would like to help you reduce the stressors in your life. Together, we can create a plan to identify, address, and treat the challenges you are experiencing in a safe and compassionate environment. I utilize a collaborative, client-centered approach to identify and...
Too many racing thoughts and not enough time in a day for those thoughts? Need a place to just be yourself, free from judgment? Welcome to my safe place. My therapy dog, Gunner, and I work to provide a safe and tranquil environment by utilizing mindfulness practices. I provide clients and their families with the tools to overcome many day to day obstacles to include stress and anxiety, depressi...