Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a therapeutic approach specifically designed to help individuals manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and build healthier coping skills. DBT is especially effective for those who experience overwhelming emotions, struggle with impulsive behaviors, or feel “all-or-nothing” thinking impacting their daily lives. You may benefit from DBT if you find it difficult to regulate your emotions, maintain stable relationships, or manage stress without feeling overwhelmed.
DBT combines techniques from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with mindfulness practices, emphasizing acceptance and change. DBT therapy sessions focus on helping you become more aware of your thoughts and emotions, while learning practical skills to handle stress, avoid reactive behaviors, and improve interpersonal effectiveness. With time, DBT can help you gain better control over your emotions and feel more balanced in everyday life.
How Does DBT Work?
DBT therapy involves four main skill-building areas designed to address emotional challenges. Here’s a look at the process:
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Mindfulness Training: You’ll learn to stay present and observe your thoughts and emotions without judgment, allowing you to respond more calmly.
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Distress Tolerance: DBT teaches you techniques to cope with stress and crisis situations without making impulsive decisions.
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Emotion Regulation: You’ll develop skills to identify, understand, and manage intense emotions, reducing emotional instability over time.
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Interpersonal Effectiveness: DBT helps you improve communication and relationship-building, equipping you to set boundaries and resolve conflicts healthily.
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Acceptance and Change: You’ll work with your therapist to balance accepting difficult emotions with making constructive changes, which is key to DBT’s effectiveness.
Skill Integration and Practice: Between sessions, you’ll practice using these new skills in real-life situations, gradually building confidence and resilience.
DBT was developed by psychologist Marsha Linehan in the late 1980s, originally as a treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD) and suicidal behaviors. Linehan’s approach uniquely combines acceptance-based strategies with change-oriented techniques, which have since proven effective for various mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. While DBT is often referred to as a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy, it incorporates mindfulness techniques drawn from Zen practices, making it a comprehensive approach. Over the years, DBT has gained recognition worldwide, with terms like “skills training therapy” and “emotion regulation therapy” sometimes used to describe its core methods.
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OUR LOCATIONS
Atlanta Office
Decatur, GA
Centrally located to our Metro Atlanta residents, the Kula Wellness Group headquarters is conveniently located in Decatur, Georgia near downtown Decatur. Our headquarters features an indoor multi-use yoga & therapy room, an additional therapy office, and a virtual conference center. We also have access to an outdoor lawn for yoga, mind & body wellness, and book club.
Gwinnett Office
Peachtree Corners, GA
Located in Gwinnett county, our Norcross office is near Duluth, Johns Creek, and Sandy Springs. Our satellite office features 1 multi-use yoga and group therapy room and 1 therapy office and a key pad protected private entrance.