About Dialectical Behavior Therapy
What is DBT?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), developed by Marsha Linehan, Ph.D, is a comprehensive cognitive-behavioral
treatment for disorders of emotion regulation, including Borderline Personality Disorder.
DBT is designed to help people build a life worth living by:
- Developing a clearer sense of self
- Learning healthy management of emotions
- Encouraging acceptance of the highs and lows of life, without impulsive action
- Creating, improving, or maintaining healthy, stable relationships
DBT Program Process
The first step in entering the DBT program is to attend an intake appointment with one of the DBT
therapists. To schedule a DBT intake, or for more information, please call (651) 645-3115.
Who Does Adult DBT Serve?
Our DBT program serves individuals aged eighteen years and older and is appropriate for people with a history of:
- Emotion dysregulation
- Intense, unstable relationships
- Chronic suicidality
- Self-injurious behavior
- Impulsive behaviors
People receiving DBT services at Psych Recovery often have diagnoses including:
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Eating concerns
- History of trauma
Our DBT Program
The DBT team at Psych Recovery provides standard DBT treatment that is adherent to Dr. Linehan's model. It
incorporates the following four modalities:
The Adult DBT program utilizes:
Group skills training is one of the essential components of DBT. A psychoeducational approach is used to teach
effective coping skills. At Psych Recovery, DBT groups last 2 1/2 hours and are offered in the morning or evening,
once a week. Participating in a DBT Skills Training group is a significant time commitment: each member of the
group is valuable and expected to maintain consistent attendance.
Weekly individual therapy is another essential component of DBT, and assists people in further developing new
behaviors consistent with skills taught in DBT Skills Training. Participants in the weekly DBT Skills Training
groups are required to attend individual therapy. It is ideal if the individual therapist is trained in DBT.
Similar to skills training, individual therapy is a significant commitment. Participants are expected to maintain
consistent attendance. Several therapists at Psych Recovery provide individual DBT.
Telephone coaching is available to those who see an individual therapist at Psych Recovery. The availability of
phone coaching hours varies by therapist. Phone coaching is one way to help participants implement skills learned
in DBT Skills Training groups.
Consultation is specifically for clinicians. It provides an opportunity for DBT providers to gain support from
one another, discuss client and group progress, coordinate care, and problem-solve issues related to providing DBT.