DBT is a skills-based therapy aimed at helping people manage distress and tolerate uncomfortable emotions. If you describe yourself as highly emotional or moody, are easily triggered, and tend to have ongoing crisis situations, DBT may be the right fit for you. DBT was derived from CBT and consists of 4 components: emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness. DBT skills can be adapted to help children and teens, as well as adults.
You will learn various DBT tools and skills to help you identify and effectively express your emotions as well as cope with difficult situations. You will also learn how to self-soothe and self-regulate to calm the nervous system and prevent emotional overreactions.
Other DBT techniques aim at strengthening your relationships and may involve implementing healthy boundaries in your life and learning to say “no” to activities and people that do not serve you well. By the end of DBT therapy, you will be well equipped to handle challenges in the present moment and will be well prepared to tackle future obstacles.