Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Counseling Services

Dialectical Behavior Therapy can give you the skills you need to live life with confidence.

DBT can be effective for many different people, regardless of if you are new to therapy or have tried other therapy approaches.

A man overwhelmed by anxiety

A man struggled with generalized anxiety for as long as he could remember. He would be exhausted after each day due to his racing, worried thoughts, physical discomfort, and inability to focus. Through DBT, he learned the skills of mindfulness, distress tolerance, and emotion regulation. He was able to calm his physical reactions, tame the racing thoughts, and he gained ways to effectively cope with his emotions so they no longer ruled his life.

Someone looking to overcome past relationship trauma and form healthy relationships

An individual in a new relationship found themselves frequently anxious about if the relationship would last. They felt worried that their new dating partner would leave suddenly or start treating them poorly like they had experienced before. Once they completed DBT, the distress tolerance, interpersonal, and mindfulness skills helped them to focus on what they can control, emphasize the present moment while things are going well, and effectively ask for what they need in the relationship.

Working to overcome depression

An individual with a long history of depression was struggling with low energy, a low mood, feeling isolated, and a loss of pleasure in activities they used to enjoy. Using DBT, the skills they learned allowed them to find motivation and more enjoyment in the present moment. They started to use self-soothing skills to ease their low mood. The individual learned how to lean on their support system and ask for what they need from others even though it feels scary. While they know they may experience depressive episodes in the future, they now have confidence that they will get through those times.

The woman struggling with self-harm/destructive behavior

A woman experienced childhood trauma that led her to restrict her eating and engage in self-harm. She recognized that these were choices that were creating more issues instead of giving her the relief she needed.

Through DBT, she learned the emotion regulation and distress tolerance technique called “urge surfing”. This allowed her to label her emotions and the urge to engage in harm, while recognizing that the feelings would pass. She found ways to tolerate her intense emotions without needing the more immediate relief that she thought restriction and self-harm gave her. The woman was then able to replace the destructive behaviors with healthy, long-lasting coping skills.

Why DBT is right for you.

DBT can help you feel more confident to cope with your emotions and problem solve effectively. You will learn valuable, concrete skills and how to apply them. Using DBT, you can get a sense of relief you are seeking from your distressing symptoms of anxiety, depression, trauma, and/or disordered eating.

This therapeutic approach can help you transform your thought processes, embrace all emotions and learn from them, as well as create long-lasting, meaningful relationships. You’ll walk away with a toolbox to help you grow and create your best life.