Helping clients achieve emotional regulation.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is an evidenced-based practice that has been shown to aid the patient in achieving emotional regulation within their life. DBT recognizes that many of our emotional disturbances occur because we are emotionally dysregulated - we experience emotions intensely and they take over. DBT helps us cope with emotions in a healthy, sustainable way.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Addiction

A major component of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy is the concept that two opposing ideas can be present at the same time. Another word for this is "ambivalence." In relation to an individual dealing with a substance use disorder, the two thoughts may be, “I want to see my life without the use of drugs,” and “I want to continue getting comfort and relief in the most dependable way I know.” Having awareness around this type of thinking allows us to recognize what is going on and choose to feed energy into a path that leads to wellness.

Goals of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy


After consistently participating in DBT clients will be able to:

Regulate their emotions

Develop skills and boundaries in interpersonal relationships

Tolerate distressful situations

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy is especially helpful with clients that exhibit impulsive behavior. By helping clients experience a sense of validation during times of ambivalence, they are more empowered to choose a pathway that leads to wellness, as opposed to acting impulsively based on an intense emotion and moral judgement.

How Dialectical Behavioral Therapy is implemented

DBT is implemented through mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills. Our staff teaches clients to sit in and experience distressful situations and emotions rather than avoiding them. We also teach clients to develop skills and boundaries in their interpersonal relationships; how to speak up if we are often silenced, and how to actively listen if we struggle with hearing what others are saying. The end result: The client is able to regulate their emotions, tolerate distressful situations, and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships.

Interested in learning more about DBT?
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