ACCEPTANCE AND CHANGE, TOGETHER
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) in Orange County
DBT was originally developed for people who felt emotions more intensely than the world around them seemed built to handle, and it remains one of the most effective approaches for exactly that experience. It’s built around a core idea: you can accept where you are right now and still work toward real change, both at once. That tension between acceptance and change is literally where the word “dialectical” comes from.
EXPLORE THE FOUR DBT SKILLS
Learn practical skills for managing emotions, navigating distress, and strengthening relationships.
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WHAT DOES DBT TREAT?
Explore how DBT supports people with BPD, emotional dysregulation, and intense mood swings.
THE ORIGINS OF DBT
The History of DBT
Psychologist Marsha Linehan developed DBT in the 1980s after standard CBT kept failing a specific group of patients: people with chronic suicidal thoughts and intense emotional dysregulation, many later diagnosed with BPD. Traditional CBT’s heavy focus on change alone left these patients feeling unheard and invalidated. Some dropped out of treatment entirely. Linehan, who later disclosed her own history with severe mental illness, rebuilt the therapy around a balance most approaches didn’t have: full acceptance of where someone is, alongside real pressure toward change.
PRACTICAL SKILLS FOR EVERYDAY LIFE
The Four Core DBT Skills
- Mindfulness: staying present instead of getting pulled into past regret or future anxiety
- Distress tolerance: getting through a crisis without making it worse
- Emotion regulation: understanding and managing intense feelings before they take over
- Interpersonal effectiveness: asking for what you need and setting boundaries without destroying the relationship
SUPPORT FOR INTENSE EMOTIONS
What Conditions Does DBT Treat?
DBT is considered a leading treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), and it’s also widely used for chronic emotional dysregulation, self-harm behaviors, and intense mood swings that don’t fit neatly into another diagnosis.
Explore Your Treatment Options
Partial Hospitalization (PHP)
More structured daytime treatment for those who need a higher level of support.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
Structured clinical support through our Intensive Outpatient Program.
Outpatient Therapy
Ongoing, personalized therapy with the flexibility to fit your everyday life.
COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT DBT
FAQs
Clear answers to some of the questions we hear most often. Don't see what you're looking for? Give us a call — our team is happy to help.
Is DBT only for people with BPD?
No. While DBT was originally developed for BPD, it’s now used effectively for a range of conditions involving emotional dysregulation.
What’s the difference between DBT and CBT?
DBT builds on CBT foundations but places heavier emphasis on emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and acceptance-based skills, often through structured skills training.
Does DBT involve group sessions?
DBT skills training is often delivered in a group format alongside individual therapy, though structure can vary by program.
How long does DBT typically take?
DBT is often a longer-term commitment, with meaningful progress typically building over several months of consistent practice.