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Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a focused therapeutic method that stems from the broader category of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). It is designed to help individuals build practical skills for managing intense emotions, handling daily stress, improving interpersonal connections, and staying grounded in the present moment.
Originally created to support individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), DBT has since been recognized as an effective treatment for various mental health challenges. People dealing with emotional dysregulation, including conditions like PTSD, or those facing self-harming patterns such as disordered eating and substance use issues, may find DBT to be a valuable and supportive therapy option.
DBT is an evidence-supported form of psychotherapy that has been successfully applied to address various mental health conditions. It incorporates several key components:
This therapeutic model blends multiple techniques to support patients in integrating healthier coping strategies into their everyday routines.
DBT provides a range of advantages, with one of the most impactful being the enhancement of mindfulness skills. Through mindfulness, individuals learn to observe their internal world—thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, and urges—as well as their external environment, including sights, sounds, smells, and textures, all without judgment.
This practice plays a key role in emotional regulation by encouraging a pause for reflection and healthier coping strategies. It also supports individuals in staying calm under pressure, reducing impulsive actions, and breaking free from habitual negative thinking patterns.
Building distress tolerance is a core element of DBT, focusing on both self-acceptance and accepting life as it is in the present moment. To help individuals navigate crisis situations, DBT introduces practical tools such as:
Distraction techniques
Creating moments of comfort or relief
Self-soothing practices
Weighing the pros and cons of resisting emotional overwhelm
Mastering these skills allows individuals to manage intense feelings in healthier, more constructive ways—avoiding harmful coping behaviors that can deepen emotional pain over time.
Interpersonal effectiveness equips individuals with the tools to assert their needs—such as confidently saying “no”—while preserving respectful and healthy relationships. These skills include clear communication, active listening, managing difficult interactions, and maintaining self-respect alongside empathy for others.
Emotion regulation is a fundamental part of DBT, designed to help individuals gain better control over intense emotional experiences. Through targeted skill-building, individuals learn to recognize, label, and shift their emotions, fostering a stronger sense of emotional stability.
These skills not only help reduce emotional vulnerability but also promote more frequent positive feelings—even during times of anger or distress. By responding to difficult emotions in healthy, productive ways, individuals can strengthen their emotional well-being and build more supportive, balanced relationships.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was created by Dr. Marsha Linehan and her team after recognizing that traditional cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) was not fully effective for individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD). DBT was developed to specifically address the complex emotional and behavioral needs of those with BPD, blending new strategies and tailored techniques into the treatment process.
Beyond its original use for BPD, DBT has also demonstrated success in treating various other mental health challenges, including:
In dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), clients and therapists work together to resolve the tension between accepting oneself as they are and pursuing meaningful change. This balance is central to the DBT approach, with validation playing a key role in supporting cooperation and easing the discomfort that can come with personal growth.
Validation involves recognizing that a person’s behaviors make sense in light of their past experiences, even if those behaviors aren’t always the most effective or helpful in the long term.
DBTÂ integrates multiple components including group skills training, one-on-one therapy sessions, and phone coaching. While each format has distinct objectives, all are designed to help individuals build stronger emotional regulation, enhance coping abilities, and improve their relationships with others.
DBT guides individuals in learning how to accept their current emotions, circumstances, and sense of self, while also equipping them with practical tools to change unhelpful behaviors and strengthen their relationships.
This dual focus on acceptance and change is essential to DBT. It empowers individuals to manage emotional challenges more effectively and respond to difficult situations with greater resilience. Through skill development, they can build healthier communication patterns and improve how they relate to others.
Through this course, you will learn how to substitute unhealthy or harmful behavior patterns with more beneficial and efficient ones.
The way you think and beliefs that are not effective will change.
Teamwork alongside communication will be learned (therapists, group therapy, psychiatrists).
DBT is a proven therapeutic approach that supports individuals in gaining better control over their emotions by strengthening their coping strategies. It has shown positive results across diverse populations, including all ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, and cultural backgrounds.
A key benefit of this therapy is its focus on building practical skills that clients can use both now and in the future. These tools are valuable for managing emotional challenges and enhancing long-term mental health and well-being.
DBT is widely recognized as an effective treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD), particularly in reducing the risk of suicide among those affected. Studies show that more than 75% of individuals with BPD no longer meet the diagnostic criteria for the disorder after completing a full year of DBT therapy.
A study found that interventions that included skills training as part of treatment were more successful in decreasing suicidal behavior than DBT interventions that did not include skills training.
Although DBT is most commonly studied in relation to borderline personality disorder—particularly for individuals struggling with self-harm and suicidal thoughts—emerging research supports its effectiveness in treating a variety of other mental health conditions. Studies have shown positive outcomes for those dealing with anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There is also growing evidence that DBT may be a useful treatment for children diagnosed with disruptive mood dysregulation disorder.
DBT requires a meaningful commitment of time and effort from participants. Along with weekly individual therapy, the treatment includes group skills training and phone coaching, as well as homework assignments to reinforce the techniques learned. For some, keeping up with these ongoing responsibilities can be a challenge.
Additionally, applying certain DBT skills may be emotionally demanding. Individuals might need to confront painful memories or navigate difficult emotions as part of the healing process, which can feel overwhelming at times.
If you’re exploring whether Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a good fit for your needs, speaking with a clinician trained in DBT is the best first step. A licensed provider can assess your symptoms, past treatment experiences, and goals to determine if this approach is right for you.
Finding a qualified DBT therapist can sometimes be challenging, but working with someone who has specific training in this method is key to gaining the full benefit of the therapy.
At Solace Texas, our compassionate team is here to support you every step of the way. Reach out to us today to find out how DBT can be integrated into a treatment plan tailored to your unique journey.
Our facility is located in the heart of vibrant Houston.