Dialectical Behavior Therapy
At the DBT Center for Trauma and Healing, we understand how painful it can be to feel overwhelmed by emotions that seem impossible to manage. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a compassionate, evidence-based approach designed to help individuals find balance between acceptance and change. It’s especially effective for people who experience strong emotions, impulsive behaviors, or difficulty maintaining stable relationships and self-worth.
Through DBT, clients learn practical, research-supported skills that make daily life more manageable and fulfilling. One of the core components of DBT is mindfulness—the practice of being fully present in the moment, with openness and without judgment. When mindfulness is paired with specific coping tools—like emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness—people discover new ways to respond to life’s challenges with clarity and calm instead of reactivity or avoidance.
DBT has been shown to help individuals who experience:
Intense mood swings or emotional ups and downs
Impulsive or disruptive behaviors
Self-harm or suicidal thoughts
Depression and anxiety
Anger outbursts and family conflict
Eating disordered behaviors
Substance use
Difficulty coping with stress
Extensive research supports DBT as an effective treatment for adults, teens, and even preadolescents who struggle with managing emotions and relationships. It is a structured, supportive approach that teaches both emotional awareness and practical, real-world skills for building a life that feels worth living.
DBT Skills Training
Our DBT Skills Training classes provide a safe and supportive environment for learning and practicing the core DBT skills:
Emotion Regulation: Understanding and managing emotions with greater ease
Distress Tolerance: Navigating crises and painful moments without making things worse
Interpersonal Effectiveness: Building, maintaining, and improving relationships
Mindfulness: Staying grounded, self-aware, and present
Walking the Middle Path: Learning flexibility, validation, and understanding others’ perspectives
We offer skills training classes for preadolescents (ages 9–14), adolescents (14–18), and adults (18+). Each group includes peers experiencing similar life challenges, creating a space for connection and shared growth. Parents, guardians, and loved ones (18+) are invited to attend specialized support groups to learn communication tools, coping strategies, and ways to encourage their child or family member in using DBT skills effectively.
Comprehensive DBT Treatment Approach
Our DBT program offers a holistic path to healing that includes:
Skills Training Classes: 90-minute weekly sessions focused on learning and applying DBT skills
Individual Therapy: One-on-one sessions to personalize goals and apply techniques to real-life situations
Skills Coaching by Phone: Ongoing support to help clients use their skills in the moments they need them most
Consultation Team: Our clinicians meet regularly to collaborate, ensuring each client receives the best care possible
DBT Parent Training: Support for parents to strengthen relationships, set healthy boundaries, and build a calmer, more connected family environment
At the DBT Center for Trauma and Healing, we walk alongside you every step of the way. Whether you’re a child, teen, or adult learning to manage intense emotions, or a parent seeking to better support your loved one, our compassionate team is here to help you build the skills—and the confidence—to move forward with hope and resilience.
**Adapted from content developed by The Child Mind Institute (www.childmind.org), an independent, national nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders.