Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Building Skills to Manage Emotions, Strengthen Relationships, and Navigate Life’s Challenges
Life can feel overwhelming when intense emotions, impulsive behaviors, or difficult relationships make it hard to cope. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based form of psychotherapy that helps individuals develop practical skills to better manage emotions, tolerate distress, improve relationships, and live more mindfully.
Originally developed to treat individuals with intense emotional dysregulation, DBT is now widely used to help people experiencing a variety of mental health challenges. The goal is to help individuals accept themselves while learning new skills to create positive and lasting change.
At Indiana Health Group, our therapists provide individualized DBT-informed treatment tailored to each person’s unique needs, helping clients build resilience, improve emotional well-being, and develop healthier ways of responding to life’s challenges.
What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness and acceptance-based strategies. The word dialectical refers to balancing two ideas that can both be true at the same time—accepting yourself as you are while also working toward meaningful change.
DBT focuses on developing four core skill areas:
- Mindfulness – Becoming more aware of the present moment without judgment.
- Distress Tolerance – Learning healthy ways to cope with difficult situations and emotional pain.
- Emotion Regulation – Understanding and managing intense emotions more effectively.
- Interpersonal Effectiveness – Building healthy relationships through improved communication, boundaries, and conflict resolution.
These practical skills help individuals respond more thoughtfully rather than reacting impulsively during times of stress.
Who Can Benefit?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy may be helpful for individuals experiencing:
- Emotional dysregulation
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
- Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
- Mood disorders
- Self-harming behaviors
- Suicidal thoughts or behaviors (as part of a comprehensive treatment plan)
- Impulsive behaviors
- Anger management concerns
- Relationship difficulties
- Trauma-related symptoms
- Stress and burnout
- Difficulty coping with intense emotions
DBT can benefit adolescents and adults and may be used alongside medication management or other therapeutic approaches when appropriate.
What Happens During DBT?
Your therapist will work collaboratively with you to identify treatment goals and teach practical skills that can be applied in everyday life.
During therapy, you may:
- Learn mindfulness techniques
- Practice managing difficult emotions
- Develop healthy coping strategies for stressful situations
- Improve communication and relationship skills
- Strengthen problem-solving abilities
- Identify behaviors that interfere with your goals
- Practice new skills between sessions to reinforce progress
Therapy focuses on helping you build a personalized toolkit of strategies that support long-term emotional health and resilience.
Benefits of Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Many individuals experience improvements such as:
- Greater emotional stability
- Improved coping during stressful situations
- Reduced impulsive behaviors
- Increased self-awareness
- Stronger communication and relationship skills
- Healthier boundaries
- Greater confidence in managing life’s challenges
- Improved resilience
- Better stress management
- Enhanced overall quality of life
The practical skills learned in DBT are designed to support lasting growth both during and after therapy.
A Skills-Based Approach to Lasting Change
Managing emotions and navigating life’s challenges can be difficult, but you don’t have to do it alone. Dialectical Behavior Therapy provides practical, evidence-based tools that help individuals respond to life’s challenges with greater confidence, flexibility, and resilience.
Our therapists work alongside you to create a personalized treatment plan that builds on your strengths while helping you develop healthier ways of coping, communicating, and thriving.
Ready to Get Started?
If you or a loved one is struggling with challenging behaviors, emotional regulation, ADHD symptoms, or difficulties at home, school, or work, Indiana Health Group is here to help.
Our experienced therapists provide compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to your individual needs.
Whether you’re seeking therapy, medication management, or specialized mental health services, our New Patient & Referrals page will guide you through the next steps to begin care.