Bay Area Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-basedmethod to help manage overwhelming emotions and tolerate distress without turning to self-destructive behaviors. DBT achieves this outcome by teaching practical skills in the following areas: 

• Mindfulness 
• Emotion regulation 
• Distress tolerance
• Interpersonal effectiveness

In addition to these behavioral skills. DBT also focuses on helping clients accept their circumstances, feelings, and thoughts without judgment. Acceptance does not mean giving in to a life of suffering. Pain is an inevitable part of life; however, often we suffer more than necessary without the coping skills needed to manage difficult emotions.  

Some of us are hardwired to be highly sensitive or more emotional than others. Unfortunately, deep feelers are often stigmatized and told that they are “overly emotional,” “dramatic,” “overreactive,” “too intense,” or “too sensitive.” DBT helps people learn how to validate and trust their emotions and experiences without turning on themselves. DBT focuses on acceptance and validation while providing the behavioral change skills that can lead to a more positive life experience.

Adolescence and early adulthood is an emotionally tumultuous time for everyone, but it can be especially challenging for young people with sensitive dispositions.

DBT is an effective technique for:

• Insomnia and other sleep issues 
• Social anxiety
• General anxiety and worry
• Panic attacks
• Obsessions and compulsions
• Depression
• Fears and phobia
• Separation anxiety
• Test anxiety
• Performance anxiety
• Eating and body image issues