Interested in learning more about DBT?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT®) is an evidence-based treatment for persons struggling with emotion regulation issues (e.g., rapid mood changes, intense and debilitating emotions, etc.). It was developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan and colleagues at the University of Washington (The Linehan Institute and Behavioral Tech). Since its creation in the early 1990’s, DBT® has been shown to be effective for a broad range of issues from severe suicidal ideation to problems in maintaining relationships. The standard DBT® protocol consists of:
DBT® is provided by a team of therapists who meet weekly for consultation on how to improve their skills as therapists adhere to the treatment principles and protocols. Our DBT® Team has participated in extensive specialized intensive training provided by The Linehan Institute and Behavioral Tech, creators of DBT® and regularly attends reputable trainings nationwide.
The overarching goal of DBT® is to obtain “a life worth living” by providing skills to manage emotions, to tolerate distress and to improve relationships. DBT® has been shown to be effective in reducing suicidal behaviors, hospitalizations, and problems with anger, depression, and hopelessness. DBT® treats multiple modes of dysregulation including emotion dysregulation which is defined as a combination of extreme emotional vulnerability with difficulty in regulating emotions once they are aroused. DBT® clients learn an array of skills to manage their emotions and the impulsive and almost automatic behaviors that often accompany strong emotions.
In individual therapy each client works on their highly personalized treatment plan to reduce the behaviors identified as getting in the way of attaining their long-term goals by increasing their use of skillful behaviors. Clients who enter DBT® are asked to make a year-long commitment to attend both individual therapy and skills training class. Most clients can see significant improvement in their lives.
- weekly individual therapy
- weekly skills training class
- self-reported diary card completed weekly by the client
- weekly consultation team meeting for all DBT® therapists on the team
- availability of phone coaching
DBT® is provided by a team of therapists who meet weekly for consultation on how to improve their skills as therapists adhere to the treatment principles and protocols. Our DBT® Team has participated in extensive specialized intensive training provided by The Linehan Institute and Behavioral Tech, creators of DBT® and regularly attends reputable trainings nationwide.
The overarching goal of DBT® is to obtain “a life worth living” by providing skills to manage emotions, to tolerate distress and to improve relationships. DBT® has been shown to be effective in reducing suicidal behaviors, hospitalizations, and problems with anger, depression, and hopelessness. DBT® treats multiple modes of dysregulation including emotion dysregulation which is defined as a combination of extreme emotional vulnerability with difficulty in regulating emotions once they are aroused. DBT® clients learn an array of skills to manage their emotions and the impulsive and almost automatic behaviors that often accompany strong emotions.
In individual therapy each client works on their highly personalized treatment plan to reduce the behaviors identified as getting in the way of attaining their long-term goals by increasing their use of skillful behaviors. Clients who enter DBT® are asked to make a year-long commitment to attend both individual therapy and skills training class. Most clients can see significant improvement in their lives.
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What Our clients have Said About DBT
I went in skeptical, but came out glad that I went in and found out about these skills.
Consistency and growth week to week, month to month. I feel good about my changes. |
It's a great way to learn and practice coping skills |
I have definitely noticed a positive difference in my daughter. DBT has helped us tremendously.
DBT has helped me a lot and I think it is very useful. |
The skills and approach fit my needs well and I can see the positive effect in my life. |
Something the group leaders did well is: creating a comfortable environment and were very approachable.
Very helpful! Life at home is better. It was the best thing for us. Thank you! |
I believe everyone could benefit from DBT. |
Read more DBT testimonials
Are you a clinician interested in starting your own DBT group?
What can I expect?
DBT® is a structured therapy which requires a serious commitment from both the client and the therapist. Your therapist will help you clarify your goals and will ask for specific commitments from you, which will help you reach your goals. You and your therapist will develop a collaborative relationship which will seek to reduce any problems that get in the way of your therapy and will also identify behaviors that you most need to change in order to achieve your goals. Individual therapy and skills training will be weekly and you will have homework for each. You will also have access to between-session coaching contact. DBT® is a very active and directed process, where you and your therapist delineate a clear path toward your goals and focus on the steps needed to reach them. Your effort will be a huge factor in your progress.
The first sessions of DBT® will focus on orientation, assessment and commitment. There are formal and informal assessment procedures. During the early sessions you and your therapist will establish your relationship and treatment plan, including making a diary card. Attendance at skills class usually begins within four to six weeks after entering therapy.
The first sessions of DBT® will focus on orientation, assessment and commitment. There are formal and informal assessment procedures. During the early sessions you and your therapist will establish your relationship and treatment plan, including making a diary card. Attendance at skills class usually begins within four to six weeks after entering therapy.
Is DBT® right for me?
This question is best answered in an interview with an intensively trained DBT® therapist. However, to get a general idea of the kinds of problems DBT® treats you can read through the nine questions below. Consider each question carefully and decide if it is 1) mostly true or 2) mostly not true about you. If you find that you answer “mostly true” to several of these items, then DBT® may be right for you.
- Do you have mood swings and rapidly changing emotions? Do you find that little things tend to cause emotions to flare and that the emotions are extreme and sometimes long-lasting?
- Do you either over-express or under-express anger? Does anger cause a lot of problems in your life?
- Are you somewhat impulsive? Do you have a tendency to do things under the influence of emotion that you later regret, such as drink too much, spend too much money, eat to excess or engage in inappropriate sex?
- Are you confused about who you really are? Do you wonder, for example, whether you really like yourself at all, what your values are, or whether or not you are a “worthy” person?
- Are your relationships often filled with conflict, or do you have few or no lasting relationships?
- Do you find that when an important person in your life is upset with you or wants to leave a relationship that you feel overwhelmed with fear of abandonment as if you cannot survive without that person? Does this feeling really frighten you?
- Do you find that sometimes, when you are really upset, that you want to hurt yourself, or think you would like to be dead? Do you ever harm yourself intentionally or consider killing yourself?
- Do you ever feel empty or numb for long periods of time?
- When you are really, really upset, do you sometimes have thoughts that people really want to harm you or are hurting you on purpose even though later you might realize this isn’t true? Do you ever lose track of where you are, or of time, or feel paralyzed when you are very emotional?
OTHER DBT® related groups
Mindfully offers additional groups to help further support our DBT clients and their friends and family members. To view what we currently have to offer check out our current groups tab.
DBT® Recommended ReSources
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