• Hello & Welcome

    You have probably asked yourself some form of combination of some of the questions listed above. You may have little to no understanding of what DBT is. Or you may be well versed and want a simple and concise place to gather information to refresh your knowledge.

    Either way, you’re in luck because I am here to answer your questions…or to help you find direction to the answers you may be seeking.

    For more on each skill area, visit the drop down box in the menu above.

    Keep reading to find additional information below.

  • What is DBT?

    Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence based therapeutic intervention that utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy and tries to change negative thinking patterns while pushing for positive behavioral changes. It focuses on problem solving and acceptance-based strategies to bring together opposite concepts such as change and acceptance. It was created by psychologist, Dr. Marsha Linehan.

    You might be asking yourself "how does this differ from cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT?"

    Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most commonly practiced forms of therapy today. It’s focus is on helping people learn how their thoughts can actually change their feelings and behaviors. It is usually time-limited and goal-focused as practiced by most psychotherapists.

    Where CBT works on changing thought patterns, DBT works to change how we manage our emotional responses and behaviors to situations.

    Both CBT and DBT can incorporate exploring an individual’s past or history, to help an individual better understand how it may have impacted their current situation. However, discussion of one’s past is not a focus in either form of therapy, nor is it a differentiation between the two forms.

    For additional information on CBT and psychotherapy click here

    For additional information on DBT click here

  • How can a DBT Therapist help me?

    A DBT therapist is like a guide who helps you navigate the ups and downs of life while teaching you practical skills to handle big emotions, reduce stress, and build better relationships.

    They work with you to identify patterns that might be keeping you stuck and give you tools to create more balance and control in your life.

    Whether it’s learning to communicate more effectively, breaking free from negative thought cycles, or finding calm during chaos, a DBT therapist is there to support and empower you every step of the way.

    It’s all about growth, not perfection!

  • How does emotion regulation work?

    Emotion regulation is like becoming the DJ of your emotional playlist.

    It’s all about understanding your feelings—what they are, why they show up, and how to manage them effectively.

    Instead of letting emotions take control, you learn tools to pause, reflect, and choose how to respond. This might mean calming yourself when anger is blaring too loud, or finding ways to boost joy when you’re stuck in a low mood.

    It’s not about ignoring or suppressing feelings—it’s about learning to work with them so they don’t overwhelm you.

    Over time, it helps you feel more balanced and in charge of your emotional world.

  • Isn't distress tolerance just self-care?

    Not exactly!

    Distress tolerance is more like emotional first aid—it’s about handling those really tough moments when everything feels overwhelming, without making things worse.

    While self-care helps you recharge and stay balanced over time, distress tolerance is what you lean on in the heat of the moment.

    It’s also where radical acceptance comes in: the skill of fully acknowledging reality, even if you don’t like it.

    By accepting what’s happening, you free up energy to focus on what you can do to cope, instead of getting stuck in frustration or denial.

    Together, these tools help you get through the storm without adding fuel to the fire!

  • What is interpersonal effectiveness?

    Interpersonal effectiveness is all about navigating your connections with confidence and respect.

    It’s learning how to communicate what you need, stand up for yourself, and still be thoughtful of others.

    This means setting clear boundaries (without feeling guilty!), saying no when it’s truly in your best interest, and asking for what you want in ways that others can understand and appreciate.

    By sharpening these skills, you’re more likely to foster healthier, more balanced relationships—ones where your voice matters just as much as anyone else’s!

  • How can I practice mindfulness daily?

    Practicing mindfulness daily is like giving your mind a mini spa day—it helps you stay in the present, reduce stress, and appreciate life’s little wins.

    By regularly checking in with your thoughts and surroundings, you learn to respond thoughtfully instead of running on autopilot. Over time, this builds resilience, sharper focus, and a happier overall outlook.

    Here are five ways to work mindfulness into your day, no yoga or meditation required:

    1. Savor Your Meals: Focus on flavors, textures, and smells—no phones, just the experience.

    2. Mindful Listening: Give your full attention to the speaker—notice their tone and body language.

    3. Gratitude Check-Ins: Pause to list a few things you’re grateful for—big or small.

    4. Body Scan on the Go: Take a quick moment to notice tension in your body and breathe it out.

    5. Digital Detox Moments: Go screen-free for a few minutes each day and just observe your surroundings.

  • Can DBT help my ADHD?

    DBT can be a tremendous help for ADHD by offering practical coping tools for impulsivity, emotional ups and downs, and staying on track.

    It weaves together:

    • Mindfulness skills (so your mind doesn’t wander off quite as easily)
    • Distress tolerance (for those times ADHD gets overwhelming)
    • Emotion regulation (so you can handle those mood swings more gracefully)
    • Healthy communication strategies (for when relationships get tricky).

    By consistently practicing these skills, you’re essentially training your brain to pause, focus, and respond thoughtfully—rather than letting ADHD call the shots. Over time, you’ll feel more in control, more balanced, and better prepared to handle whatever life throws your way.

  • What are DBT Skills?

    A SUMMARY TO THE VARIOUS SKILLS WITHIN DBT

    DIALECTICS + MIDDLE PATH THINKING

    Challenge Problematic Thinking – check if you have a mistake/harmful belief about a situation, yourself, or others.

    Dialectical Thinking – change your extreme reactions & thoughts to be more in the middle – balanced or peaceful
    Validation – try to validate yourself and/or others to comfort, reassure, understand, and accept

    MINDFULNESS

    Observe – just notice the experience, watch your thoughts come and go, no pushing away & no clinging
    Describe – put your experience into words by describing to yourself what is happening

    Participate - engaging fully in the activity
    One Mindfully – consciously doing one activity at a time (not multi-tasking)
    Take a non-judgmental stance – accept each moment without judging; look only at the facts, unglue your opinion

    Being effective - doing what works!

    DISTRESS TOLERANCE

    Distract with Wise Mind ACCEPTS – Activities, Contributing, Comparisons, Emotions, Pushing away, Thoughts, Sensations
    Self-soothe – soothe your senses with your favorite sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch

    IMPROVE the moment – Imagery, Meaning, Prayer, Relaxation, One thing, a brief mental Vacation, and Encouragement
    Think of Pros and Cons – Identify positive & negative effects of tolerating and not tolerating the stress
    Observe your breath – focus your attention on your breath coming in & out as you relax your body & breath
    Radical Acceptance – decide to tolerate the moment by accepting what is from deep within, freedom from suffering
    Willingness – decide to move from stubbornness and/or passivity to Open-mindedness & Action

    EMOTION REGULATION

    Challenge an Emotion Myth – check if you have a mistaken/harmful belief about an emotion

    Describe your Emotion – use the chart to understand your experience and find the function

    PLEASED – take care of yourself and do activities; work towards goals
    Increase Positive Emotions – Increase short-term positive emotions NOW & make a list of long term life goals
    Letting Go – Observe, Experience, and Accept your emotion
    Opposite Action – change your emotion with an opposite action

    INTERPERSONAL EFFECTIVNESS

    GIVE - Learn how to build + maintain relationships

    FAST - Develop a healthy relationship with yourself and build sef-respect

    DEAR/MAN - Learn how to set better boundaries by saying no, asking for what you need, and working on negotiating

  • Use of information for this site

    This website is intended for information and educational purposes only. No information presented is intended for counseling or treatment. Use of this website does not form a counseling relationship. For more information please contact me at blair@helpwithdbt.com