Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a structured, skills-based approach that helps people manage intense emotions, cope with distress, improve relationships, and develop more effective ways of responding to challenging situations.

DBT combines acceptance and change. It helps clients learn to accept themselves and their experiences while also developing practical skills to make meaningful changes in their thoughts, behaviors, and relationships.

How Does DBT Work?

DBT teaches practical skills that can be applied both inside and outside of therapy. Treatment commonly focuses on four core areas:

Mindfulness
Learning to stay present and become more aware of thoughts, emotions, and experiences without automatically reacting to them.

Distress Tolerance
Developing skills for coping with difficult situations and intense emotions without relying on behaviors that may create additional problems.

Emotion Regulation
Learning to understand emotions, reduce emotional vulnerability, and respond to emotions more effectively.

Interpersonal Effectiveness
Developing communication and relationship skills that can help you express your needs, set boundaries, and navigate interpersonal challenges.

Your clinician will work with you to identify the skills most relevant to your individual needs and goals.

Who Can Benefit From DBT?

DBT may be helpful for individuals who experience intense or difficult-to-manage emotions, relationship challenges, impulsive behaviors, or difficulty coping with distress.

It can also be useful for people who want to develop stronger emotional regulation and communication skills, even when they are not experiencing a specific mental health diagnosis.

What Can DBT Help With?

DBT may be used to address concerns such as:

Difficulty regulating emotions
Intense emotional reactions
Anxiety and depression
Relationship and interpersonal difficulties
Difficulty coping with stress or distress
Impulsive or reactive behaviors
Low distress tolerance
Difficulty setting or maintaining boundaries
Self-esteem and self-acceptance concerns
Patterns of behavior that interfere with personal or relationship goals

Your clinician can help determine whether DBT skills or a DBT-informed approach may be appropriate for you.

DBT at Modern Me Psychology

At Modern Me Psychology, DBT skills may be incorporated into individualized treatment based on a client’s needs and goals.

Your clinician may use DBT strategies alongside other therapeutic approaches to help you develop practical skills for managing emotions, navigating relationships, coping with stress, and responding more intentionally to difficult situations.

The specific structure of treatment will depend on your individual treatment plan.

Our Clinicians Who Use DBT

The following Modern Me Psychology clinicians use Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT):

If you’re interested in DBT but aren’t sure which clinician may be the right fit, our Client Care team can help you explore your options.

Related Approaches

DBT may complement other therapeutic approaches, including:

Ready to Get Started?

Learning practical skills for managing emotions, coping with distress, and improving relationships can be an important part of therapy. If you’re interested in DBT, contact us to discuss your needs and available treatment options.

Services are available in person at our Roselle, Illinois office and through telehealth for clients located in Illinois.

We accept several insurance plans, and coverage varies by plan and clinician. Contact us to confirm your benefits and whether your preferred provider and service are covered.