Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a structured, evidence-based psychotherapy designed to help people manage intense emotions, reduce self-destructive behaviors, and improve relationships. Developed for borderline personality disorder, DBT combines strategies from cognitive-behavioral therapy with mindfulness and acceptance techniques. Treatment typically includes individual therapy, skills training groups, phone coaching, and therapist consultation teams. Core skills focus on four areas: mindfulness (staying present and nonjudgmental), distress tolerance (coping with crisis without making things worse), emotion regulation (identifying and changing intense emotions), and interpersonal effectiveness (assertive communication and relationship-building). DBT emphasizes balancing acceptance of current experiences with deliberate change, helping clients build a life they find meaningful and sustainable.