DBT? 

DBT? 

What is DBT? 

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a highly effective, evidence-based form of therapy designed to help people manage intense emotions, quiet anxious overthinking, and navigate difficult relationships.

The word “dialectical” means balancing two opposites. In DBT, those two opposites are Acceptance and Change. It’s about accepting exactly who you are and what you’re feeling right now, while simultaneously learning concrete, real-world skills to change the habits that are keeping you stuck. Instead of just talking about your problems, DBT focuses on giving you a physical and mental toolkit to handle them in the moment.

DBT is built on four core skill pillars: 

  • Mindfulness: Learning to stay present in your life instead of spiraling over the past or future.
  • Distress Tolerance: Emergency tools to help you calm your body down fast during a crisis.
  • Emotion Regulation: Understanding your moods so your feelings don’t make decisions for you.
  • Interpersonal Effectiveness: Learning how to set boundaries and ask for what you need without causing drama.

Is DBT Right For Me?


Dialectical Behavioral Therapy is an evidence-based treatment designed to help people develop skills in emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness. 

DBT can help those who struggle with:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Burnout
  • Self-esteem challenges
  • Relationship conflicts
  • Self-harming behaviors
  • Trauma-related symptoms
  • ADHD-related emotional dysregulation

You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from DBT. Many people use DBT to better understand themselves, navigate relationships, and learn healthier ways to cope with everyday stress and emotions.

Is it DBT or Me Questionnaire?

Answer “yes”, “sometimes”, or “no” to the statements below.

  • Do my emotions often feel overwhelming and difficult to manage?
  • Can small situations trigger intense emotional reactions?
  • Do I rely on unhealthy coping strategies to get through emotional discomfort?
  • Do I find it difficult to communicate my wants and needs clearly and calmly?
  • Do I feel stuck in patterns I want to change but don’t know how?
  • Am I often feeling emotionally exhausted?
  • Do I struggle with impulsive behaviors when stressed/emotional?
  • Do you want to learn more practical tools for handling difficult situations?
  • Do relationships sometimes feel intense, unstable, or emotionally draining?

If you answered “yes” or “sometimes” to any of these questions, DBT could be the right fit for you!

DBT at Insight Counseling

We understand that adolescents and young adults face unique pressures today, from academic burnout to anxiety about social media. Our teen and young adult DBT groups are specifically tailored to meet you where you are! Our practice is a warm, collaborative space where your experiences are validated. We are here to help you stop simply surviving the week, reduce emotional chaos, and build a life that feels genuinely worth living.