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Dialectical Behavior Therapy - DBT
How We Help
Do your emotions sometimes feel like they go from zero to a hundred with no warning? Have you spent years being told you're too sensitive, or too intense? DBT may be one of the most useful tools you'll ever learn, and it can help.
At Prime Therapy , DBT is one of our core treatment offerings, and it's grounded in decades of clinical research.
Our Founder, Lee Ann has developed a highly effective version of the original DBT Skills Manual. It's based upon her 17+ years of experience. You'll have your own copy to keep. We'll use it with you during your sessions. The workbook represents what we have found to be the most effective approach for applying DBT skills in therapy.
DBT was originally developed by psychologist Dr. Marsha Linehan in the late 1980s to treat individuals with borderline personality disorder and chronic suicidality. It remains one of the gold standard treatments for that population.
Since then, research has expanded its use to a wide range of concerns involving emotional intensity and impulsivity, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance use, and difficulty regulating emotions more generally.
The Dialectical part of DBT refers to holding two seemingly opposite truths at once. One being full acceptance of where you are right now, and the other being a genuine commitment to change.
That balance in those truths is at the heart of everything DBT teaches.
Prime Therapy Specializes in DBT
Most comprehensive DBT treatment includes both individual therapy and a weekly skills group, since the two reinforce each other — individual sessions help you apply skills to your specific life, while group sessions are where the skills are actually taught and practiced.
The Four DBT Skill Areas
DBT is built around four core skill modules: Mindfulness (staying present instead of getting swept into emotional reactivity), Distress Tolerance (getting through crisis moments without making things worse), Emotion Regulation (understanding and reducing the intensity of difficult emotions), and Interpersonal Effectiveness (asking for what you need and setting boundaries without damaging relationships).
The DBT Skills Workbook by Prime Therapy
What DBT Treatment Looks Like at Prime
Our DBT trained clinicians offer both individual DBT-informed therapy and structured DBT skills groups. In individual sessions, you and your therapist work through real situations from your week using a diary card to track emotions, urges, and skill use. This isn't about perfection, it's about noticing patterns over time. Between sessions, many clients also have access to brief phone or message coaching for real time skill coaching during a crisis moment, consistent with standard DBT models.
Prime Therapists are Trained DBT Specialists
DBT is a structured, research backed protocol, not simply skills-based CBT. And delivering it well requires specific training beyond general clinical licensure.
Our therapists have pursued formal DBT training and ongoing consultation to ensure fidelity to the model. Because the difference between DBT done well and DBT done loosely can significantly affect outcomes, especially for clients managing intense emotional dysregulation or self-harm urges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can DBT help me control my urges?
Yes. While DBT was developed for borderline personality disorders, it's now used widely for anyone struggling with emotional intensity, impulsivity, self-harm urges, or relationship difficulties.
Do I have to do both individual therapy and group skills training?
No. Comprehensive DBT traditionally includes both, since they reinforce each other. That said, we tailor treatment plans based on your needs. Talk with your therapist about what combination makes sense for you.
Can I connect with my therapist if I'm in crisis between sessions?
Yes. Depending on your treatment plan, brief between-session coaching may be available to help you apply skills in the moment. Your therapist will review what support looks like and what to do in a true emergency during your first session.
Is DBT available virtually via Telehealth?
Yes. Both individual DBT sessions and skills groups are available virtually, in addition to our in-person options.