How We Help
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy - DBT
If your emotions sometimes feel like they go from zero to a hundred with no warning, or you've spent years being told you're "too sensitive" or "too intense," Dialectical Behavior Therapy might be one of the most useful tools you'll ever learn. 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.
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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: full acceptance of where you are right now, and a genuine commitment to change. That balance is at the heart of everything DBT teaches.
Prime Therapy Specializes in DBT
The Four Skill Areas of DBT
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).
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.
What 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.
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.
DBT Requires Specialized Training
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DBT only for people with borderline personality disorder?
No. While DBT was developed for BPD, it's now used widely for anyone struggling with emotional intensity, impulsivity, self-harm urges, or relationship difficulties, regardless of diagnosis.
Do I have to do both individual therapy and group skills training?
Comprehensive DBT traditionally includes both, since they reinforce each other. That said, we tailor treatment plans based on your specific needs — talk with your therapist about what combination makes sense for you.
What if I'm in crisis between sessions?
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 sessions.
Is DBT available through telehealth?
Yes, both individual DBT sessions and skills groups are available virtually, in addition to our in-person options.