Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) services for individuals in Studio City or nearby Sherman Oaks, Encino, Valley Village, North Hollywood, Toluca Lake, and surrounding neighborhoods in Los Angeles, CA. Online DBT therapy is also available for teens and adults residing within the state of California.
Tools and techniques for building connections, embracing change and leaning into acceptance
WHAT IS DBT?
You may have heard of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) combines both! DBT was created by Dr. Marsha Linehan, Ph.D., founder of The Linehan Institute and Behavioral Tech. Dr. Linehan developed DBT to clinically support individuals living with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Research has shown that DBT is also an effective treatment modality for individuals struggling with other personality traits, eating disorders, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and substance use. DBT has also been found to be effective with the adolescent population, particularly when relating to self-harm, suicidal ideation, emotion regulation, parent relationships, and peer relationships.
DBT for adults consists of four skills modules: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
DBT for adolescents and families consists of five skills modules: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and walking the middle path.
For more information on the research supporting DBT visit: https://behavioraltech.org/research/how-dbt-helps/
HOW DO YOU INCORPORATE DBT INTO YOUR PRACTICE?
I utilize a DBT-informed approach with adolescents and adults. I firmly believe in individualized skill application. This means that the DBT theory and skills will be introduced based on what is shared in sessions versus following the structured DBT manual. With teens, most are coming to session straight from school, so I do not want to overwhelm them with additional reading materials if it does not align with what they are bringing into the room. The DBT-informed approach can also be implemented into couples and family therapy.
DBT-INFORMED PSYCHOTHERAPY VERSUS COMPREHENSIVE DBT
An intensive outpatient comprehensive DBT program includes the following components: client participation in a weekly DBT skills group, individual DBT therapy, access to phone skills coaching outside of sessions, therapist participation in a weekly DBT meeting with colleagues, and other additional sessions deemed clinically appropriate to support the client’s presenting needs. Additional sessions may include but are not limited to: an additional individual therapy session per week, family therapy, couples therapy, individual DBT skills coaching sessions, weekly skills group sessions, weekly parent DBT skills coaching sessions.
A DBT-informed approach does not include all of the components listed above. You individualized treatment plan is based on needs and therapeutic goals. I collaborate with other treatment providers with whom you currently meet with, as well as provide clinical referrals as needed. When working with teens, parent skills coaching sessions are available to parents/caregivers to supplement their child’s ongoing individual therapy.
Please reach out to discuss if a DBT-informed approach aligns with your goals and needs.