Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

This therapy acknowledges that real life is complicated and requires one to accept the need to regularly balance opposing forces we face. Core tenets include emotion-regulation skills, distress tolerance, and mindfulness. DBT helps treat borderline personality disorder, self-harm, suicidal thinking, PTSD, and depression.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a skills-based therapy that helps people manage emotions, handle stress, and improve relationships.

DBT was originally developed for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), but it is now also used to help with PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other emotional challenges.

What is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a structured, skills-based type of therapy. It helps you manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and respond to stress in healthier ways. DBT focuses on two ideas:


  • Accepting your thoughts and feelings 
  • Learning healthier ways to respond to them 


This balance between acceptance and change is what makes DBT unique.


A therapist helps patients:


  • Understand emotional patterns 
  • Develop coping skills 
  • Improve communication 
  • Manage overwhelming emotions

How Does Dialectical Behavior Therapy Work?

DBT combines two important ideas:


  • Acceptance: learning to accept your thoughts and feelings
  • Change: learning how to respond to them differently


This balance is what makes DBT unique.


In therapy, you’ll learn practical skills to help you:


  • Stay present in the moment (mindfulness)
  • Handle stress without reacting impulsively
  • Manage intense emotions
  • Reduce impulsive reactions
  • Communicate more effectively
  • Build healthier relationships

What Disorders is Dialectical Behavior Therapy Used For


While DBT was originally designed to treat Borderline Personality Disorder, its efficacy has led to its adaptation for a variety of other mental health conditions. Below are some of the primary disorders for which DBT Therapy is utilized:


1. Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Individuals with BPD often experience intense episodes of anger, depression, and anxiety that may last from only a few hours to days. Therapy helps managing these intense emotions and reducing self-destructive behaviors.


2. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

DBT has been adapted to assist individuals suffering from PTSD, especially those who have not responded well to traditional therapies. DBT teaches coping skills that can help people manage stress, emotional triggers, and PTSD symptoms.


3. Depression

Chronic and treatment-resistant depression can also be addressed through Dialectical Behavior Therapy. DBT can help people manage negative thought patterns and improve emotional regulation. 


4. Eating Disorders

DBT has shown promise in treating eating disorders like bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder. DBT may help people better manage emotions connected to disordered eating behaviors.


5. Substance Use Disorders

For individuals struggling with substance abuse, it offers tools to cope with cravings and reduce the likelihood of relapse by managing stress and emotional triggers.

What Are the Benefits of Dialectical Behavior Therapy?

DBT is effective because it gives you tools you can use right away. Benefits include:


1. Reduction in Self-Harming Behaviors

DBT is widely used to help reduce self-harm and suicidal behaviors, improving emotional safety.


2. Improved Emotional Regulation

It provides clients with strategies to understand and manage their emotions. This leads to decreased emotional volatility and improved mental stability.


3. Enhanced Coping Skills

DBT teaches practical coping strategies for stressful situations and emotional triggers.


4. Better Interpersonal Relationships

It helps clients build healthier relationships by improving communication skills and fostering empathy and understanding.


5. Empowerment and Self-Efficacy

Through the skills learned in therapy, individuals gain a sense of control over their lives, which increases their self-esteem and confidence in handling future challenges.

What to Expect in DBT?

DBT is structured, practical and focused on skill-building. Sessions often include:


  • Learning new coping strategies
  • Practicing real-life situations
  • Building emotional awareness
  • Improving communication
  • Setting personal goals


Some people also complete exercises between sessions to apply what they learn in daily life.


Is DBT Right for You?


DBT may be a good fit if you:


  • Feel overwhelmed by your emotions
  • Struggle with impulsive reactions
  • Experience mood swings
  • Have difficulty in relationships
  • Want practical tools, not just talk therapy
  • Want support beyond traditional talk therapy 

Start DBT Therapy

If you’re ready to feel more in control of your emotions and responses, DBT can help you build skills for lasting change. Reach out today to schedule a consultation for in-person therapy in Charleston, SC or virtual therapy in New Jersey.

Top 10 FAQs About Dialectical Behavior Therapy

  • What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?

    DBT is a structured, skills-based therapy that combines mindfulness with practical tools to help you manage emotions, relationships, and stress.

  • What does DBT stand for?

    DBT stands for Dialectical Behavior Therapy, which is a structured, evidence-based therapy that helps people manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and develop healthy coping skills.

  • How does DBT work?

    DBT works by combining acceptance and change. You learn to accept your current thoughts and feelings while also building skills to manage them more effectively. Therapy focuses on practical tools you can use in everyday life to handle stress, regulate emotions, and improve relationships.

  • What skills does DBT teach?

    DBT focuses on four key areas: mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.

  • Who can benefit from DBT?

    DBT is helpful for people who experience intense emotions, mood instability, anxiety, depression, self-destructive behaviors, or relationship difficulties.

  • How is DBT different from CBT?

    DBT and CBT are both evidence-based therapies, but they focus on different approaches. CBT emphasizes identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors, while DBT places a stronger focus on acceptance, mindfulness, emotional regulation, and building skills to manage intense emotions and relationships.

  • What does a DBT session look like?

    Sessions often include reviewing real-life challenges, learning coping skills, and practicing strategies to handle emotional or interpersonal difficulties.

  • What are the 4 skills of DBT?

    DBT is built around four core skill areas:

    • Mindfulness – staying present and aware in the moment 
    • Distress Tolerance – coping with difficult situations without making them worse 
    • Emotional Regulation – understanding and managing intense emotions 
    • Interpersonal Effectiveness – improving communication and relationships

  • What is the 24-hour rule in DBT?

    The 24-hour rule typically means that clients agree not to contact their therapist for coaching within 24 hours after engaging in harmful behaviors (such as self-harm). This boundary helps reinforce skill use and personal responsibility. (Note: this can vary depending on the therapist or program.)

  • Does DBT work for anxiety?

    Yes, DBT can be very effective for anxiety. It helps you manage overwhelming thoughts and emotions, reduce avoidance behaviors, and build practical coping strategies to handle stressful situations more confidently.

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