What is DBT?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based form of cognitive-behavioral therapy to treat borderline personality disorder and chronic suicidality (Linehan, 1993). At its core, the "dialectical" approach focuses on the balance between two seemingly opposite ideas: acceptance and change. It teaches individuals that it is possible to accept themselves as they are while simultaneously working to change unhelpful behaviors. The treatment is structured around 4 primary skill modules—mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness—all aimed at helping patients manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and build "a life worth living" (Linehan, 1993).

  • Traditionally, the DBT modality is composed of 4 components: 

    1. Weekly Individual Therapy: You meet one-on-one with a therapist for 50–60 minutes. These sessions follow a "treatment hierarchy," prioritizing safety (reducing self-harm or suicidal thoughts) first, followed by behaviors that interfere with therapy, and finally improving overall quality of life.

    2. Weekly Skills Training Group: This is a 1.5–2.5 hour "class" where you learn the four core DBT modules: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. It is focused on building your capabilities rather than processing trauma or past events.

    3. Phone Coaching: Your individual therapist is often available between sessions for brief (few-minute) phone calls. This "in-the-moment" coaching helps you apply skills to real-world crises before you resort to old, unhelpful behaviors.

    4. Therapist Consultation Team: This is a "therapy for the therapist" meeting where your DBT providers meet weekly to support each other and ensure they are following the treatment model correctly.

  • During your program, you will likely use specific tools to track progress:

    1. Diary Cards: A daily log where you track your emotions, urges, and which skills you used that day.

    2. Behavioral Chain Analysis: A step-by-step breakdown of a specific event or behavior to understand exactly what triggered it and where you could have used a skill to change the outcome.es here

  • Stay tuned! Check back after May 27, 2026.