“What is DBT anyway?“

DBT stands for “Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.” It’s a form of therapy that was created for people who feel like they’re “at the end of their rope.” For people who feel like they’ve “tried everything” and yet things “just won’t change.” DBT is used all over the world, and for good reason! It’s been proven effective in even some of the most challenging cases.

Marrying Eastern philosophy with Western psychology, DBT teaches skills in areas of mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance, likely some of the exact places you’ve struggled.

Comprehensive DBT vs. DBT Informed

As it’s composed of a variety of therapeutic tools, many counselors will pick and choose which parts fit their client’s needs in that moment. This is what we call “DBT Informed” treatment and it can be a great way to gain some of the benefits of this modality! We even use this approach here, from time to time.

Comprehensive DBT, on the other hand, is more intensive. In comprehensive DBT, we implement the program as it was designed. You will be seen at least twice a week in the beginning of care: once for therapy and once for “DBT Skills Training.” In addition to these appointments, you’ll complete “diary cards” each day that help to monitor symptoms and organize our weekly therapy sessions. You’ll also be able to utilize what’s known as “phone coaching” in-between appointments. These are structured phone calls in which your therapist can coach your skill-use in real time. Behind the scenes, your therapist also works closely with a consolation team of other experienced DBT clinicians to make sure that each case receives the best care and that each professional is supported. When we point to the proven efficacy of DBT, this comprehensive program is what we’re referring to.