What Dialectical Behavior Therapy Is
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a structured, skills-based form of therapy designed to help individuals manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and respond more effectively to stress. It builds on cognitive behavioral principles while incorporating mindfulness and acceptance strategies. DBT focuses on helping individuals balance acceptance of their current experience with the ability to create meaningful change. This combination makes it especially effective for individuals who feel overwhelmed by emotions or struggle with emotional regulation. At Genesis Counseling, DBT is used to provide practical tools that support emotional stability and improve day-to-day functioning.
What DBT Helps With
DBT is commonly used for individuals who experience strong emotional reactions or difficulty managing stress.
It is effective for:
- Emotional dysregulation
- Anxiety and stress
- Mood instability
- Relationship challenges
- Impulsive behaviors
DBT provides structured tools that can be applied in real-life situations, making it highly practical.
How DBT Works
DBT focuses on building skills across four key areas: mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.
These skills help individuals become more aware of their emotions, manage reactions more effectively, and improve communication with others. The goal is not to eliminate emotions, but to respond to them in a more balanced and controlled way.
Over time, clients develop greater awareness and confidence in managing both internal experiences and external challenges.
What DBT Sessions Look Like
DBT sessions are structured and focused on skill development. Clients work with their therapist to learn and apply techniques that improve emotional stability.
Sessions may include:
- Learning and practicing coping strategies
- Applying skills to current challenges
- Reviewing real-life situations
- Building communication and relationship tools
The approach is collaborative, with an emphasis on practicing skills between sessions.
Who DBT Is a Good Fit For
DBT is a strong fit for individuals who feel overwhelmed by emotions or struggle with managing reactions in stressful situations. It is often used with teens and adults and can be adapted to different levels of need.
Why Choose Genesis Counseling for DBT
At Genesis Counseling, we provide DBT-informed therapy tailored to each client’s needs, helping build skills that support long-term emotional well-being.
We offer flexible in-person and virtual sessions and accept most major insurance plans, including United Healthcare, Cigna, Optum, Aetna, Florida Blue, BCBS, Lucet, Humana, Medicare, Quest, and TriCare.
