Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Concrete skills for people whose emotions run hot: managing crises, tolerating distress, and building relationships that hold.
Accredited by The Joint CommissionLegitScript certified4.9 stars from 150+ Google reviewsIn-network with Harvard Pilgrim & Tufts (Point32Health)What DBT is
Dialectical Behavior Therapy was developed for people who feel emotions intensely and struggle to regulate them, often leading to impulsive behavior, unstable relationships, self-harm, or substance use. The “dialectic” is the balance between two ideas that both have to be true: you are doing the best you can, and you need to do better. DBT holds acceptance and change together rather than choosing one.
The four skill modules
Mindfulness
Learning to observe what’s happening inside and around you without immediately reacting to it.
Distress Tolerance
Getting through a crisis without making it worse: skills for the worst 20 minutes of a bad day.
Emotion Regulation
Understanding what emotions do, reducing vulnerability to them, and changing unwanted emotions when possible.
Interpersonal Effectiveness
Asking for what you need, saying no, and keeping self-respect in relationships.
Who DBT helps
DBT was originally created for borderline personality disorder and remains the leading treatment for it. It’s also widely used for substance use, eating disorders, trauma, bipolar disorder, and for anyone who recognizes a pattern of intense emotions leading to decisions they regret. You don’t need a specific diagnosis to benefit from DBT skills.
DBT at Forrest
DBT-informed skills groups run inside our Day Treatment and IOP programs, alongside individual therapy where you apply the skills to real situations from your week. Our clinicians use DBT principles throughout treatment, particularly validation: taking your experience seriously while still working toward change.
Where you’ll experience it at Forrest
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between CBT and DBT?
DBT grew out of CBT and shares its focus on skills and practice, but adds a much stronger emphasis on acceptance, mindfulness, and emotion regulation. If your main struggle is intense emotion and impulsivity, DBT is often the better fit.
Do I need a BPD diagnosis for DBT?
No. DBT skills help a wide range of people. Your clinician will recommend it based on what you’re dealing with, not just a label.
Is DBT a full program or part of treatment?
At Forrest, DBT skills are integrated into our PHP and IOP programs rather than run as a separate stand-alone DBT program.
Ready to talk? We’re here.
Call us any time for a confidential conversation. We’ll answer your questions, check your insurance at no cost, and help you decide whether Forrest is the right fit — no pressure.