Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a highly structured and evidence-based therapeutic approach originally developed to treat individuals with intense emotions, suicidality and borderline personality disorder (BPD). It has since been adapted to address a wide range of mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, self-harming thoughts and behaviors, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and personality disorder symptoms.

life is complex and healing isn’t linear.

In DBT, you integrate the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with mindfulness practices and dialectical strategies. The term "dialectic" in dialectical behavior therapy recognizes the intricate nature of life and emphasizes that the path to healing is not always straightforward. It’s a practice that honors the sometimes contradictory nature of the healing journey and embraces the practice of learning to accept life as it is, while also fostering change and growth.

What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?

DBT can support you to learn more effective ways of dealing with the challenges in your life, while also making peace with yourself. 

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“You can't think yourself into new ways of acting; You only can act yourself into new ways of thinking.”
— Marsha M. Linehan

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a structured psychotherapy approach that is time-limited and skills based. As opposed to depth work or traditional psychodynamic psychotherapy that works best over a long-term period of deep work, DBT offers skills that you can incorporate into your daily life in a short period of time. When you work with one of our therapists, DBT therapy will be incorporated into your therapy sessions and actionable skills will be offered to practice between sessions. 

DBT skills include:

  • Mindfulness - learning how to be in the present moment, noticing what arises, and learning how to ride the ebbs and flows of life as it constantly changes. 

  • Distress Tolerance - learning how to be with distressing or uncomfortable thoughts, feelings and experiences without the need to hide, change or react in harmful or self-sabotaging ways. 

  • Emotional Regulation - learning how to identify and care for intense emotions that arise in your life.

  • Interpersonal Effectiveness - learning how to communicate effectively in relationships. This can include identifying your core needs, setting boundaries and learning to speak up for yourself. 

How does Dialectical Behavior Therapy Work?

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Here at The Holistic Counseling Center, we integrate Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) into your holistic counseling sessions, along with mindfulness, somatic modalities, polyvagal informed practices and the latest evidence-based treatment protocols to support you on your healing journey.

Our holistic approach addresses both your symptoms and the underlying causes of emotional distress, promoting long-lasting wellness and personal growth. Traditional DBT treatment includes structured group sessions with individual counseling. Please note we do not currently offer DBT skills groups but can provide you with a referral for a group as needed and when we feel it would be helpful for your healing journey. Your therapist will offer a customized treatment plan to help address your unique challenges and symptoms.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy in Holistic Counseling

What issues can Dialectical Behavior Therapy Treat?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy is effective in treating a wide range of issues and conditions, including:

  • Anxiety

  • Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

  • Bipolar disorder

  • Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

  • Depression

  • Major depressive disorder 

  • Relationship Stress

  • Self-Harm and Suicidality

  • Self-Sabotage

  • Stress Management

What People are Saying

★★★★★ 

“Perri brings fierce compassion, calm and intuitive wisdom into each session. Her genuine presence and capacity for going deeply into the shadow realms with her clients is truly a gift.”

- Kim, El Dorado Hills, CA

Ready to work together?

Here’s how to get started:

  • Both CBT and DBT are common types of traditional talk therapy aimed at helping you change unhelpful ways of being in the world, into more helpful ways of thinking, feelings and relating to your self and others. CBT has been around for over 60 years and is an evidence-based and research rich modality, proven to be effective in treating many mental health challenges. DBT builds upon the CBT framework and has a similar approach to healing and change as CBT with an added component of mindfulness, and is often a more emotional and compassionate approach to healing. DBT is typically used to support you with high emotionality and learning how to manage extreme emotional reactivity and self-harming behaviors.

  • Our therapists incorporate the four DBT skills of: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. These skills are helpful for you to learn how to manage intense emotions, cope with difficulties in life and enjoy healthier and more fulfilling relationships.

  • In DBT, mindfulness becomes your ally, offering a powerful tool for learning how to care for and regulate your emotions. Through mindfulness practices like meditation and breathing exercises, you’ll learn how to observe your thoughts and feelings with compassion and curiosity. This helps cultivate a deeper awareness of your inner world, help you experience more self-love, and help you enjoy life more than just suffering through it.

  • While DBT offers amazing benefits for many individuals, no modality is a one size fits all healing modality. Here at The Holistic Counseling Center we offer a comprehensive and personalized assessment and treatment plan process that will help support you on your unique path. If you find yourself struggling with intense emotions, self-harming thoughts and/or behaviors, or high amounts of conflict in your relationships, DBT can be a helpful and supportive therapeutic approach. To discuss if DBT is the right type of therapy for you, you can schedule a free consultation call HERE to learn more about this modality and how we can support you.

  • If you’re ready to explore Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, make sure to work with a licensed therapist or counselor with training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. All of our therapists here at The Holistic Counseling Center are licensed to practice psychotherapy and are trained in DBT.

  • If you’re ready to get started with DBT, reach out to schedule a free consultation call. We’ll discuss what’s going on in your life, look at logistics like fees and schedules, and if it feels like a good fit, you can schedule your first appointment!

FAQ’s about DBT

Make an appointment for Dialectical Behavior therapy in El Dorado Hills + Online in California

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Feeling ready to explore Dialectical Behavior Therapy with a Therapist? Let’s chat! Click below to schedule your complimentary consultation call and our intake coordinator will reach out to discuss logistics and schedule your first appointment.

If you have any other questions feel free to send a message through this contact form and we’ll get back to you in the next 48 hours.