Building Emotional Balance. Strengthening Skills. Creating Lives Worth Living.
What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?
At Groundbreaker Therapy, I use Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help clients who experience intense emotions that feel difficult to manage. DBT combines the structure of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with mindfulness and emotional regulation practices. It is a skills-based approach that helps you learn to manage distress, build healthier relationships, and create more balance in your life.
The word “dialectical” means holding two truths at once — accepting yourself as you are while also working toward meaningful change. This balance between acceptance and growth is at the heart of DBT. It helps you move from surviving to living with intention and stability.
Who Benefits From This Approach
DBT can be especially helpful if you:
- Feel emotions very strongly or struggle to calm down once upset
- Notice intense ups and downs in your moods or relationships
- Experience impulsive behaviors or find yourself reacting quickly under stress
- Want to improve your ability to manage conflict and communicate clearly
- Are you looking for practical tools to build emotional regulation and self-control
If you are currently in crisis or need stabilization first, we can talk about whether DBT fits your needs now or if another approach would be better to start with.
How I Use DBT In Sessions
In our work together, I adapt DBT skills to your specific goals and pace. The process is structured but flexible, focusing on both understanding and practice.
- Building Safety And Commitment – We begin by creating a supportive foundation and identifying what you hope to change.
- Learning Core Skills – DBT focuses on four main areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
- Applying Skills In Real Life – You’ll practice using new tools between sessions and reflect on what helps, what doesn’t, and what needs adjusting.
- Changing Patterns – We identify behaviors and responses that no longer serve you and replace them with more effective strategies.
- Integrating Growth – Over time, you will build confidence and self-awareness, allowing you to manage emotions and relationships with more ease.
What You Can Expect In Sessions
DBT is active and collaborative. You will learn skills, apply them, and receive support as you practice. Our sessions may include:
- Learning techniques for calming the body and focusing the mind
- Exploring what triggers emotional reactions and developing new ways to respond
- Setting goals that help you stay accountable and motivated
- Reflecting on progress and making adjustments as needed
- Building awareness, resilience, and a sense of control
Why This Approach Matters
When emotions feel overwhelming, it can be easy to feel out of control or disconnected from yourself. DBT helps bridge that gap by teaching tools for balance and emotional stability. It allows you to accept your experience without judgment and take action toward change.
At Groundbreaker Therapy, I believe that emotional regulation is a skill you can learn. With support and consistent practice, you can move from reacting impulsively to responding intentionally and building a life that feels more peaceful and fulfilling.
Is This Approach Right For You?
DBT may be right for you if you:
- Experience intense emotions or frequent mood swings
- Struggle with maintaining stable relationships
- Want to feel more in control of your reactions and decisions
- Are you ready to work actively on change through structured learning and practice
If you are unsure whether DBT is the right fit, we can discuss your goals and explore a plan that meets you where you are. Sometimes DBT works best when combined with other approaches, depending on your needs.
Next Steps
If you are ready to begin learning the skills to manage emotions, improve relationships, and create lasting change, I invite you to reach out. Schedule a consultation to see how Dialectical Behavior Therapy at Groundbreaker Therapy can support your growth and wellbeing. Together, we will build a plan to help you find calm, confidence, and balance in your life.
