Understanding therapy

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

DBT is a skills-based therapy for managing intense emotions, distress, and relationships.

What Dialectical Behavior Therapy helps with

Intense or overwhelming emotions
Impulsivity and self-harm urges
Relationship conflict
Emotion regulation

What to expect

DBT teaches four skill sets — mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness — often blending individual therapy with practice between sessions.

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Common questions

Who is DBT for?

DBT was developed for intense emotions and self-harm but its skills help many people struggling with emotional overwhelm.