Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based treatment developed by Marsha Linehan to help individuals better manage overwhelming emotions, improve relationships, tolerate distress, and build healthier coping strategies. DBT combines acceptance and change strategies, helping individuals learn how to accept themselves and their experiences while also creating meaningful behavioral and emotional change.
DBT teaches practical, real-life skills in four core areas:
• Mindfulness — becoming more present, aware, and intentional
• Distress Tolerance — learning how to get through difficult moments without making things worse
• Emotion Regulation — understanding and managing intense emotions more effectively
• Interpersonal Effectiveness — improving communication, boundaries, and relationships
DBT can be especially helpful for children, teens, and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, mood swings, self-harm, impulsive behaviors, relationship difficulties, eating-disordered behaviors, substance use, emotional sensitivity, family conflict, or chronic feelings of overwhelm.
Our DBT program is a comprehensive treatment approach that includes:
• Weekly individual therapy sessions
• Weekly 90-minute DBT skills training groups
DBT works best when both components are attended consistently. Individual therapy helps clients apply DBT skills to their personal goals, emotional challenges, and daily life, while the skills group focuses on learning and practicing new coping strategies in a supportive environment.
We offer DBT skills groups for:
• Children ages 9–13
• Adolescents ages 13–18
• Adults 18+
• Trauma-focused and specialty groups
In both individual and group sessions, clients learn how to:
• Better understand and regulate emotions
• Reduce impulsive or self-destructive behaviors
• Navigate conflict and improve communication
• Tolerate stress and crisis situations more effectively
• Build healthier relationships and boundaries
• Increase self-awareness and emotional resilience
• Develop healthier coping patterns and problem-solving skills
Additional DBT Services:
Phone Coaching
Phone coaching is available to help clients apply DBT skills in real-life situations when they are needed most, before emotional crises or high-risk behaviors escalate.
Parent DBT Skills Class (Tuesdays 6:30–8:30 PM)
For parents and caregivers of adolescents and young adults participating in DBT, we offer a weekly DBT skills training class focused on improving communication, increasing validation, strengthening coping skills, and supporting skill use at home. Parent involvement helps create a more supportive and emotionally effective environment for the entire family.
Relationship Group (Thursdays 6:30–8:30 PM)
Our Relationship Group is designed for adults looking to strengthen relationships, improve communication, establish healthier boundaries, and better manage emotional challenges within romantic, family, friendship, or social relationships. This group focuses on reducing conflict, increasing connection, and learning healthier ways to respond during emotionally difficult moments.
At the DBT Center for Trauma and Healing, our goal is to help individuals and families create more balance, connection, resilience, and ultimately, a life worth living.