Dialectical Behavior Therapy

What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based form of psychotherapy originally developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan in the late 1980s to treat individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder. Since then, it has proven highly effective for anyone who experiences intense emotions, has difficulty managing relationships, or struggles with impulsive behaviors.

The word "dialectical" refers to the balance between acceptance and change. DBT teaches you to accept yourself and your experiences as they are, while simultaneously working to create positive change in your life. This both/and approach is at the heart of DBT—you can accept yourself as you are AND work toward growth.

The Philosophy Behind DBT

DBT is built on several core principles:

• Validation: Your emotions and experiences are valid, even when they're painful or difficult to manage.
• Acceptance and Change: You can accept reality as it is while also working to change it.
• Dialectics: Life is complex, and seemingly opposite things can both be true at the same time.
• Skill Building: Emotional regulation and healthy relationships are skills that can be learned and practiced.

The Four Core Skill Modules

DBT teaches practical skills organized into four main areas:

What Can DBT Help With?

DBT has been shown to be effective for a wide range of challenges:

• Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) - The original focus of DBT, highly effective for reducing symptoms.
• Emotion Dysregulation - Intense, quickly shifting emotions that feel out of control.
• Self-Harm and Suicidal Thoughts - Reducing harmful coping behaviors and building safer alternatives.
• Substance Use Disorders - Managing urges and building healthier coping strategies.
• Eating Disorders - Especially binge eating and emotional eating.
• PTSD and Trauma - When combined with trauma processing approaches.
• Depression and Anxiety - Particularly when emotions feel overwhelming.
• Relationship Difficulties - Improving communication and reducing conflict.
• Anger Management - Learning to respond rather than react to triggers.

What to Expect in DBT

The treatment I provide is DBT-informed, meaning it draws on key concepts and strategies from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) but does not follow the full structure of a comprehensive DBT program. A full DBT program involves a structured protocol that includes weekly individual therapy, group skills training, real-time coaching, and a therapist consultation team. In contrast, DBT-informed care is more flexible and integrates selected DBT principles in a way that fits each client's needs.

Traditional DBT includes four components: individual therapy, skills training groups, phone coaching, and a therapist consultation team. In my practice, I integrate DBT skills into individual therapy sessions, teaching you the tools and techniques that are most relevant to your specific needs.

DBT is active and structured. We'll work together to:

• Identify your goals and priorities
• Learn and practice specific skills
• Track your progress using diary cards or other tools
• Apply skills to real-life situations between sessions
• Problem-solve when skills aren't working or you're not using them

Like CBT, DBT involves homework. You'll practice skills between sessions and track what works and what doesn't. The more you practice, the more natural these skills will become.

DBT Assumptions About Clients

DBT is based on several fundamental assumptions that guide the therapeutic relationship:

My Approach to DBT

In my practice, I incorporate DBT techniques and principles to support clients in developing emotional awareness, regulation, and effective coping strategies. Rather than following a rigid program, I adapt DBT elements to create a supportive, individualized, and less intensive approach.

I integrate these skills within a trauma-informed and culturally sensitive framework. I recognize that emotional experiences are deeply influenced by culture, family systems, and lived experiences. As a bilingual therapist, I'm especially attuned to how first-generation experiences, cultural expectations, and identity can shape emotional regulation and relationships.

My approach is collaborative and compassionate. Together, we'll identify which DBT skills are most relevant and meaningful for you, and tailor them to align with your life and values. DBT provides a helpful foundation, but our work will always be personalized to your unique goals and circumstances.