What is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)?
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a type of therapy that helps individuals manage intense emotions, reduce unwanted behaviors and improve relationships. DBT combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices to effectively improve a person’s thoughts, actions and self-awareness.
Through DBT, individuals develop adaptive coping skills to manage their emotions and behaviors more effectively while improving their ability to manage challenging situations. The key aspect of DBT is the concept of dialectics: the idea that two seemingly opposite truths can exist at the same time. The core dialectic in DBT is the balance between accepting yourself as you are and simultaneously working towards positive change.
➤ What are the key goals of DBT?
Improve Emotional Regulation:
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy helps individuals identify, understand, and manage their emotions more effectively. This includes recognizing emotional triggers and understanding the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Clients learn strategies to improve self-awareness and make meaningful changes in how they respond to emotional experiences.
Enhance Interpersonal Effectiveness:
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy strengthens relationships and communication by teaching skills that promote healthier interactions. Individuals learn how to express their needs and emotions clearly and respectfully while building and maintaining meaningful connections with others.
Increase Distress Tolerance:
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy equips individuals with tools to manage intense emotions and navigate stressful situations without resorting to harmful behaviors. By increasing awareness of unhelpful habits, individuals learn practical techniques to cope in the moment and expand their window of tolerance.
Develop Mindfulness:
Mindfulness is a core component of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and is integrated throughout treatment. Clients work on being present and fully engaged in the current moment. This increased awareness supports emotional regulation, enhances frustration tolerance, and improves interpersonal skills. Mindfulness also helps individuals apply what they learn in therapy to real-life situations.
➤ What is the role of the therapist?
DBT is a collaborative therapy model. Therapists work alongside individuals to help them build a life they feel good about. The therapist’s role is to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients can explore their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
By offering support, guidance, and skill-building, the therapist fosters openness to change and personal growth. They walk with the client throughout the therapeutic process, teaching, encouraging, and helping them apply DBT skills in everyday life
The Dandelion Difference
We do our best to make the process of therapy exactly what you need.
Yoga and Mindfulness
Social Skills Groups
Weekly Parent Sessions
Teacher Recommendations
Unlimited Calls and Email
Written Accommodations
Due to our intensive parenting support process, in addition to individual weekly child sessions, weekly parenting sessions are expected at the beginning of therapy. The duration of these sessions depends on the level of distress in the family and the level of parenting needs. With meeting weekly, many families meet their goals in 6-8 months!
Therapists who have completed training in DBT
Below are our therapists who have training in DBT techniques
~ EMDR Treatment in Charlotte and Huntersville, NC ~
Dandelion Family Counseling provides EMDR Treatment in the South Park area of Charlotte.