Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

I appreciate DBT because it gives us direct tools we can use on a daily basis to challenge ineffective urges. I also love the mindfulness associated with DBT. I believe that the first step towards change is recognition of the barrier / problem.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an approach I draw upon where appropriate to help clients manage overwhelming emotions, navigate relationships, and increase mindfulness. DBT provides practical tools for building emotional resilience and healthier coping mechanisms. By balancing acceptance and change, we address immediate challenges while creating space for meaningful growth and self-awareness.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is all about finding balance—between acceptance and change, emotions and logic, reacting and responding. If you feel like your emotions take over, relationships feel chaotic, or coping feels impossible, DBT can help. I teach practical skills to manage big feelings, set healthy boundaries, and handle stress without shutting down. My approach is supportive, validating, and focused on helping you build a life that feels more stable and fulfilling.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (CBT) integrates principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with concepts from dialectical philosophy, which emphasizes the synthesis of opposing ideas to arrive at a more balanced perspective. The therapy is structured and typically includes both individual therapy sessions and skills training groups. DBT is recognized for its effectiveness in helping individuals with complex emotional and behavioral challenges develop skills to manage their emotions.

DBT was originally developed by psychologist Marsha Linehan, Ph.D. to support individuals experiencing Borderline Personality Disorder. DBT, however, has been found to be helpful for individuals aiming to cope with other experiences, such as anxiety, depression, addiction, and eating disorders. DBT focuses on 4 specific modules: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness skills.

Why ruminate when you can free your mind and soul to be in the moment? Can you tell I have a thing for mindfulness. DBT is where mindfulness and CBT meet. The main goals of DBT are to teach people how to live in the moment, develop healthy ways to cope with stress, regulate their emotions, and improve their relationships with self and others.

DBT is acceptance of your thoughts and emotions without judgement. Focusing on the present without fixating on the past or worrying about the future.

DBT is a form of CBT that combines acceptance and change and is particularly useful for those with intense emotional regulation difficulties, incorporating skills like mindfulness and distress tolerance. The core focus of DBT is to help individuals find a balance between accepting themselves as they are and changing unhealthy behaviors.

My specialty is in DBT and I have taken multiple multi-day trainings on DBT.

Do you feel your mind is being pulled in a hundred different directions at once? Do you have a hard time handling some of your emotions, and does this cause any problems in your relationships? Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) offers individuals comprehensive skills to manage painful memories and emotions and decrease conflicts in their relationships.Many of us live our daily lives with a constant stream of uncontrollable negative emotions right under our awareness.

Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is a type of talking therapy. It's based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). But it's specially adapted for people who feel emotions very intensely. The aim of DBT is to help you: Understand and accept your difficult feelings Learn skills to manage these feelings Become able to make positive changes in your life

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

DBT was born out of CBT and mindfulness, both of which I have studied separately. Getting certified in DBT, thus, seemed natural. I don't do the strict protocols of DBT, which is a group therapy, but I use a lot of the principles frequently.

DBT is for when your emotions are doing parkour and you need them to sit down. We focus on skills to survive the chaos—like boundaries, mindfulness, and not sending that text. It’s emotional regulation for people who feel all the things, all the time, and need a game plan that works in real life.

I have multiple trainings on the subject and while I'm not "certified" in it, I do use it regularly in both my personal and professional life.

DBT is a mindfulness based therapy rooted in 4 skill sets: Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, and Interpersonal Effectiveness. This counseling theory was created for people who struggle with intense/reactive emotions, impulsive behaviors, self harm and suicidal urges, and Borderline Personality Disorder. I have experience teaching these skills to clients who are working on issues related to Depression, Anxiety, Eating Disorders, Bipolar, and communication skills.

Two opposites can be true at the same time for example, "I want to change my life and change is hard". This is the definition of dialectics. DBT informs so much of my practice but I have moved away from "classic" DBT within my practice. This means we skip the agendas and diary cards (these are helpful sometimes and we can do them in pieces) and we move towards more relationship-based therapy. I have taught and can share any DBT skill and share how helpful mindfulness is toward personal growth.

I have extensive clinical experience, coursework, and additional ceu training and certification in using DBT for a variety of clinical concerns.