Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Clinic

DBT is an intensive treatment protocol and we urge clients to really understand what the treatment entails as entering the DBT clinic should be a thoughtful, well-informed decision. The research on DBT is that it is an exceptional, effective treatment protocol for severe psychopathology
(e.g., personality disorders) and for populations struggling with impulsive behaviors (e.g., suicide, self-harm, addiction). 

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In DBT, acceptance strategies are added to the behavioral change strategies in CBT through validation and accepting the client just as he or she is. We can observe that too much focus on change results in clients feeling misunderstood and that their suffering is invalid. Working with people with extreme emotional sensitivity requires careful attention to the balance between acceptance and change. 

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DBT requires a behavioral approach. This means that we assess the situations and target behaviors that are relevant to our clients’ goals in order to figure out how to solve the problems in their lives. Learn how DBT provides you a path to get the change that your clients so desperately need to see.

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There are four modes of standard outpatient DBT: Individual psychotherapy, DBT Skills training, in-the-moment phone coaching, and DBT Consultation Teams for therapists. This is different than many other psychotherapies that consist of just one mode or aspect of treatment, such as individual therapy.

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There are four skills set emphasized in DBT:

• Mindfulness: the practice of being fully aware and present in this one moment

• Distress Tolerance: how to tolerate pain in difficult situations, not change it

• Interpersonal Effectiveness: how to ask for what you want and say “no” while maintaining self-respect and relationships with others

• Emotion Regulation: how to change emotions that you want to change