Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a highly effective, evidence-based treatment designed to help individuals manage intense emotions, develop coping skills, and improve relationships. Originally developed to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD), DBT has since been adapted to help individuals struggling with a wide range of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, and emotional dysregulation.
Our trained therapists offer DBT in both individual therapy sessions and a specialized DBT group therapy program for teens. These sessions are available at our Brick and Manasquan offices, as well as via telehealth for clients throughout New Jersey.
If you or your teen are struggling with overwhelming emotions, impulsive behaviors, or relationship difficulties, DBT provides structured and practical strategies to build emotional resilience and achieve balance. DBT can empower you with the skills needed for lasting emotional regulation and well-being.
What is DBT and How Does It Work?
DBT combines cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques with mindfulness and acceptance strategies to help individuals regulate emotions and navigate challenging situations. The goal of DBT is to balance acceptance and change—helping individuals recognize and validate their emotions while also working towards positive behavioral changes.
This therapy is particularly effective for individuals who experience intense emotional distress, impulsivity, self-harm behaviors, or difficulties in relationships. By learning new coping strategies, clients gain greater emotional stability, improved problem-solving skills, and a stronger sense of self-awareness.
DBT typically involves four core skill areas, which are taught in both individual therapy sessions and group skills training:
- Mindfulness – Developing awareness of the present moment to help reduce emotional reactivity.
- Distress Tolerance – Learning strategies to tolerate and survive crises without destructive behaviors.
- Emotion Regulation – Identifying and managing emotions in healthy ways.
- Interpersonal Effectiveness – Strengthening communication skills to set boundaries and build healthier relationships.
What Are the Main Steps of DBT?
DBT follows a structured four-stage approach designed to guide clients from crisis stabilization to long-term emotional well-being.
- Stabilization and Safety
- The first stage of DBT focuses on reducing life-threatening behaviors, self-harm, and emotional outbursts. Clients work on identifying triggers, learning distress tolerance skills, and improving self-awareness.
- Emotional Processing
- Once safety and stability are achieved, therapy shifts to processing past traumas and emotional wounds that contribute to current struggles. Clients learn how to recognize and regulate their emotions without becoming overwhelmed.
- Building a Life Worth Living
- This stage emphasizes personal growth, self-acceptance, and long-term goal setting. Clients work on improving relationships, building self-esteem, and developing skills for long-term happiness and fulfillment.
- Achieving Deeper Meaning and Connection
- The final stage of DBT focuses on developing a deeper understanding of oneself and creating a meaningful, purpose-driven life. Individuals learn to integrate their skills into everyday experiences and maintain emotional stability.
DBT and Suicide Prevention
One of DBT’s greatest strengths is its effectiveness in stabilizing self-destructive behaviors and suicidal tendencies. Research has shown a significant reduction in suicide attempts and self-harm behaviors among individuals receiving DBT compared to treatment-as-usual (TAU).
What is the 24-Hour Rule in DBT?
The 24-hour rule in DBT is a boundary set between therapists and clients regarding self-harm behaviors. If a client engages in self-harming or suicidal behaviors, they cannot receive coaching or crisis intervention for 24 hours after the incident.
This rule encourages self-accountability and skill application, reinforcing the idea that DBT is about learning to manage emotions and crises without relying on external intervention. While therapists still provide unwavering support, this rule helps individuals take responsibility for their actions and apply DBT techniques in real-life situations.
Who Can Benefit from DBT?
DBT was initially created for BPD but has since been adapted to help individuals with:
- High emotional sensitivity and mood dysregulation
- Chronic depression and anxiety
- PTSD and trauma-related disorders
- Substance use disorders
- Eating disorders, particularly binge eating and bulimia
Who is DBT Not Good For?
While DBT is effective for many individuals, it may not be the best fit for certain populations, including:
- Individuals unwilling to commit to treatment – DBT requires active participation, including attending sessions and practicing skills outside of therapy.
- Clients with psychotic disorders – While DBT can help with emotional regulation, individuals with untreated schizophrenia or psychosis may require additional medical interventions.
- People seeking short-term therapy – DBT is a structured, long-term treatment that requires dedication. Those looking for quick symptom relief may need alternative forms of therapy like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
- Individuals with severe intellectual disabilities – Because DBT involves complex cognitive and emotional processing, it may not be effective for individuals with severe cognitive impairments.
Start DBT at Monmouth Integrative Counseling Services
If you struggle with overwhelming emotions, self-destructive behaviors, or difficulties in relationships, DBT can help you build healthier coping strategies and regain control of your life. At Monmouth Integrative Counseling Services, we offer individual DBT therapy sessions and skills training in Brick and Manasquan, NJ, as well as telehealth sessions across New Jersey.
Take the first step toward emotional balance and well-being.