Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) in Gaithersburg, MD
Balance. Acceptance. Change.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a transformative and evidence-based therapy designed to help individuals build lives worth living. Originally developed to treat individuals with intense emotional pain and self-destructive behaviors, DBT is now widely used to support people struggling with emotion regulation, interpersonal difficulties, anxiety, depression, trauma, and more.
At our center, we provide DBT in a safe, affirming, and structured environment where healing can begin—not by denying your pain, but by helping you develop the skills to live alongside it with strength and purpose.
What Is DBT?
DBT is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy that blends two powerful concepts: acceptance and change. The word “dialectical” means bringing together two seemingly opposite ideas—in this case, accepting yourself as you are while simultaneously working to change unhelpful behaviors, thoughts, or emotional patterns.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, DBT is highly structured and skills-based. It focuses on developing four key skill areas:
- Mindfulness – learning to be present in the moment and aware of thoughts, emotions, and surroundings without judgment.
- Distress Tolerance – building the ability to tolerate pain and crises without making them worse.
- Emotion Regulation – understanding and managing intense emotional responses.
- Interpersonal Effectiveness – improving communication, setting healthy boundaries, and maintaining self-respect in relationships.
These skills are taught and practiced through individual therapy, group skills training, phone coaching (in some programs), and consultation with a trained DBT team.
What Makes DBT Different?
DBT is not a “quick fix” or one-size-fits-all approach. It is a comprehensive, research-driven therapy designed to help individuals:
- Build stability in the midst of emotional storms
- Learn to pause before reacting
- Manage urges to self-harm or act impulsively
- Improve relationships and boundaries
- Reduce suicidal ideation and chronic feelings of emptiness
- Foster a life aligned with personal values and goals
Where some therapies focus on insight alone, DBT focuses on action—on changing behavior in real-world situations. At the same time, it validates the deep emotional pain many people carry and honors the strength it takes to do the work of healing.
Who Can Benefit from DBT?
DBT was originally created by psychologist Dr. Marsha Linehan to treat individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), a condition marked by emotional intensity, unstable relationships, and self-destructive behaviors. However, decades of research have proven DBT to be highly effective for a wide range of individuals and diagnoses, including:
- Chronic suicidal ideation or self-harming behavior
- Emotion dysregulation and mood instability
- Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Depression and anxiety, especially when traditional CBT alone has not helped
- Eating disorders, especially binge eating and bulimia
- Substance use disorders
- Teens and young adults with behavioral or emotional difficulties
If you’ve ever felt like your emotions are “too much” or that your relationships are always in turmoil—DBT was made for you.
Is DBT Effective?
Yes—DBT is one of the most scientifically validated therapies for high-risk behaviors and emotion dysregulation. Numerous clinical trials over the past 30 years support its effectiveness.
- A landmark randomized controlled trial by Linehan et al. (1991) found that DBT significantly reduced self-harming behavior and suicide attempts in individuals with BPD.
- A meta-analysis published in Psychological Medicine (Kliem et al., 2010) showed DBT had large effect sizes for reducing suicidality, depression, anger, and emotion dysregulation.
- DBT is recommended by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the American Psychological Association as a best practice for treating borderline personality disorder and suicidal behavior.
- DBT is also used in leading hospitals, veteran treatment programs, prison systems, and outpatient clinics worldwide.
DBT in Practice: What to Expect
DBT is typically delivered in four components:
- Individual Therapy: One-on-one sessions with a trained DBT therapist to focus on your personal goals, safety, and progress using DBT strategies.
- Skills Training Group: A classroom-style group where clients learn and practice the four core DBT skills.
- Phone Coaching (optional): Brief, in-the-moment coaching calls to help apply skills during emotionally intense situations.
- Therapist Consultation Team: Therapists meet weekly to maintain fidelity to the model and support one another in providing the best care.
DBT can be delivered in several formats: standard outpatient DBT, intensive outpatient programs (IOP), and partial hospitalization programs (PHP). Many programs follow a six-month to one-year model, but shorter or ongoing care is also available based on your needs.
Why DBT Is Gaining Momentum?
DBT is gaining recognition across mental health care for one simple reason—it works. And it works for people who may have tried other therapies with limited success.
Here’s why DBT is changing lives:
- It teaches skills that stick. DBT helps people develop lifelong emotional regulation and relationship tools.
- It treats the “hard to treat.” DBT is one of the few therapies proven to help with chronic suicidality, BPD, and severe emotion dysregulation.
- It balances compassion and accountability. DBT says: “You are doing the best you can—and you can do better.”
- It offers structure and support. Weekly homework, skills practice, and therapist collaboration create momentum.
- It respects your autonomy. DBT is about empowerment, not control.
Whether you’re overwhelmed by emotions, stuck in painful cycles, or simply seeking a way to build a better life—DBT offers a path forward.
A Safe Space for Radical Acceptance and Change
Our DBT therapists are specially trained to walk beside you through this work with compassion, clarity, and expertise. Therapy here is nonjudgmental. We don’t minimize your pain or ask you to be someone you’re not.
Instead, we invite you to explore:
- How you can accept yourself completely, while still wanting to grow
- How to live a life that reflects your values, even in the face of difficulty
- How to build relationships that are rooted in respect, both for yourself and others
This is a place where you are supported, not shamed. Challenged, but never pushed beyond your readiness. Encouraged to change—not because you’re broken, but because you deserve peace and joy.
Ready to Begin?
DBT is more than just a therapy model—it’s a life skills program that can radically change how you relate to yourself, your emotions, and the world around you. Whether you’re starting fresh or have tried therapy before, DBT can be the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for.
Reach out today to speak with a member of our team, learn more about our DBT offerings, or schedule your first session. We’re here to help you move from chaos to clarity—with evidence-based tools and compassionate care every step of the way.