What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an empirically supported treatment that teaches skills and strategies to help regulate emotions and improve relationships. Many of our McCaskill therapists utilize DBT therapy techniques in individual therapy, but sometimes, a more intensive or group intervention is the best treatment option. . McCaskill Family Services offers DBT therapy online and in group classes to help improve the quality of life for those with mental health struggles such as borderline personality disorder, social anxiety, depression, suicidal behaviors, and more.

DBT Skills List

There are four main categories of DBT skills that a DBT therapist focuses on. These are mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.

Mindfulness

A practice commonly used by Buddhists, mindfulness aims to slow down the mind by drawing attention to the present. When we learn to focus on the here and now, we pay less attention to past mistakes or future worries.

Distress Tolerance

One of DBT's core focuses is to help individuals handle significant distress in their everyday lives. You'll learn to develop skills to deal with such discomforts.

Emotion Regulation

DBT provides education on the importance of emotions. Once you know how they work, you can learn to manage them instead of them managing you.

Interpersonal Effectiveness

Relationships are one of the most stressful (but rewarding) parts of our lives. Interpersonal effectiveness is a DBT skill that helps people create and maintain healthy relationships with others, by learning how to better communicate and navigate conflict.