What is dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)?

At Thriveworks, dialectical-behavior-therapy primarily concentrates on assisting individuals in emotion regulation, enhancing interpersonal relationships, and acquiring effective coping strategies for managing stress and emotional difficulties.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) targets your personal challenges. You may work with your DBT therapist to maintain diary cards to monitor progress, emphasizing validation and support in the therapeutic relationship. DBT follows a stage-based approach, prioritizing crisis reduction initially and life satisfaction.

What is DBT best used for?

DBT was initially developed to address the needs of individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, its versatile approach has enabled its application to a wide range of mental health conditions, including but not limited to, anxiety, depression, stress, and anger issues.

What are the 4 pillars of DBT?

The 4 pillars of DBT are mindfulness, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance.

Is DBT better than EMDR?

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) have distinct purposes and aren't inherently superior or inferior to one another. DBT is most effective for managing emotional regulation, personality disorders, and interpersonal challenges, while EMDR is specifically tailored for individuals with trauma-related conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Is DBT conducted in person or online?

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) with therapists at Thriveworks in [location], [state] is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How many months is DBT?

The duration of a standard DBT program is typically around 24 weeks, which is roughly six months. The actual number of sessions will vary depending on the issues you wish to address.

What is your go-to approach for dialectical behavior therapy?

My go-to approach for DBT is to start off by identifying any behaviors that may be leading to emotional distress. After identifying these behaviors, we will move to working on living in the moment, developing coping skills that are authentic to you, learning to regulate stress, and attempting to improve relationships with those that you are closest to.

What tools do you teach in dialectical behavior therapy?

Some of the tools that are taught in DBT are: Healthy coping skills, Understanding and eliminating any negative coping skills that may be present, Learning healthy communication skills, Emotion regulation, Mindfulness techniques for being in the present

How do you know when a client is making meaningful progress in dialectical behavior therapy?

As a therapist, I will know if clients are making meaningful progress in DBT therapy by seeing them engage in healthy coping skills, maintain consistent healthy relationships, and report overall lower stress levels.

What can clients do in their personal time to supplement dialectical behavior therapy?

Clients can supplement their time in DBT therapy by working on themselves and their emotions. Clients can obtain DBT workbooks that direct them in emotion regulation and being in the present.

What should someone do to prepare for starting dialectical behavior therapy?

There is no need to prepare for the first DBT session. You can simply show up with an open mind, allow yourself to engage with your therapist, and be forthcoming with the experiences and feelings you are having.

Offered in-person & online

Our therapists offer DBT / dialectical behavior therapy in Charleston, SC

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94% of clients feel truly understood by their provider. 3 out of 4 see improvement in depression & anxiety symptoms within 3 months

1,084 people sought dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) help in South Carolina in the last year

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★★★★★

Edward exhibits a deep understanding of behavioral health. It feels like he always know what to say or what questions to ask. He has material or data based study to share with me to assist with my mental growth.

Matthew Sep 2025