top of page

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Navigate Intense Emotions with Balance, Boundaries, and Skill

 

Are you overwhelmed by emotions, stuck in patterns of conflict, or struggling to stay grounded in relationships or daily life?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers practical, research-backed tools for managing emotional intensity, building resilience, and improving your relationships with others and with yourself.
 

At MF Therapy, PLLC, I offer DBT-informed therapy to help you create inner stability, cultivate self-compassion, and move through life with greater confidence and clarity.

What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?

DBT is a structured, skills-based therapy developed for people who experience intense emotions, mood swings, or difficulty managing relationships and impulses. It blends cognitive-behavioral strategies with mindfulness and acceptance work, teaching you to regulate emotions while honoring your full humanity.
 

DBT is especially effective for clients who feel emotionally sensitive, reactive, or misunderstood.

How does DBT Work?

DBT focuses on building four core skill sets:

  • Mindfulness – staying present and centered, even in distress

  • Distress Tolerance – surviving emotional crises without making things worse

  • Emotion Regulation – understanding and managing overwhelming emotions

  • Interpersonal Effectiveness – navigating relationships with clarity, assertiveness, and boundaries
     

Through a combination of skill-building, emotional processing, and relational support, DBT helps you break free from old cycles and build a life worth living.

What Does DBT Help With?

  • Emotion dysregulation and mood instability

  • Chronic anxiety or depression

  • Self-harming behaviors or suicidal ideation

  • Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

  • Relationship conflict, codependency, or fear of abandonment

  • Impulsivity or difficulty setting boundaries

  • Trauma responses or dissociation

Benefits of Dialectical Behavior Therapy

  • Structured and skill-based – gives you tools you can use right away

  • Evidence-based – shown to reduce emotional suffering and self-destructive behaviors

  • Balances acceptance and change – you’ll learn to validate your emotions while still making meaningful shifts

  • Focused on practical relief – DBT supports both emotional healing and everyday functioning

What to Expect in DBT-Informed Therapy?

  • A safe, nonjudgmental space to explore emotional triggers

  • Education and guided practice in DBT skills

  • Supportive, validating conversations that build insight and trust

  • Homework or in-between session strategies to reinforce learning

  • A collaborative pace that honors your needs, boundaries, and growth goals

Common Questions About DBT

Q: Do I need to attend a full DBT program?
A: Not necessarily. While full DBT programs include individual therapy, skills groups, and coaching, many clients benefit from DBT-informed individual therapy tailored to their needs.

Q: How is DBT different from CBT?
A: CBT focuses on changing thoughts and behaviors. DBT adds mindfulness and emotional validation, helping you accept your experience while still making changes.

Q: Is DBT only for people with BPD?
A: No. DBT helps anyone who struggles with emotional overwhelm, interpersonal conflict, or impulsivity. It’s widely used across many diagnoses.

bottom of page