Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and building a life worth living.
What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?
The Gold Standard for Borderline Personality Disorder and Emotion Dysregulation
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a evidence-based treatment originally developed for Borderline Personality Disorder but now used for a wide range of emotional and behavioral difficulties. DBT combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness, acceptance, and dialectical philosophy—balancing self-acceptance with change. At Summit Psychotherapy Center, our entire team is trained in DBT through the DBT Programs at Stanford’s Department of Psychiatry, San Francisco VA, and Palo Alto VA. With multiple Summit clinicians who are founding members of Stanford’s DBT Trauma Team, we also integrate evidence-based DBT-Trauma treatments to support those navigating BPD, emotion dysregulation, and symptoms of trauma. DBT teaches practical skills to manage intense emotions, tolerate distress without impulsive actions, improve relationships, and build a life that feels meaningful and worth living. It’s not just about reducing symptoms—it’s about creating the life you want.
The Four Skill Modules of DBT
Building Skills for Emotional Control
Mindfulness
Learning to be present in the moment without judgment. Mindfulness is the foundation of all other DBT skills—being aware of your thoughts, feelings, and sensations with greater confidence and groundedness.
Distress Tolerance
Skills for surviving crises without making things worse through impulsive, destructive actions. Learning to tolerate pain and distress when you can’t immediately solve problems, so that you have enough time to figure out what solutions work best for you in the long-term.
Emotion Regulation
Understanding emotions, reducing vulnerability to negative emotions, increasing positive experiences, and changing unwanted emotional reactions. Learning to have emotions without being controlled by them.
Interpersonal Effectiveness
Skills for getting your needs met in relationships while maintaining self-respect and keeping relationships healthy. Learning to ask for what you want, say no effectively, navigate conflict, and repair and reconnect to find and maintain the relationships you want in your life.
Comprehensive DBT: The Full Treatment Model
Multi-Modal Treatment for Complex Presentations
Individual DBT Therapy
Weekly one-on-one sessions with your DBT therapist focusing on applying skills to your specific life challenges, reducing life-threatening behaviors, and working toward your goals.
DBT Skills Training Group
Weekly group sessions where you learn all four skill modules systematically. The group provides both skill instruction and peer support.
Phone Coaching
Brief phone contact with your therapist between sessions for coaching on how to use skills in real-time crisis situations.
Consultation Team
Your DBT therapist participates in a consultation team with other DBT clinicians to ensure you receive the best possible treatment and your therapist stays effective and motivated.
Note: Full comprehensive DBT includes all four modes. At Summit Psychotherapy Center, we DO NOT offer full-model Comprehensive DBT, at this time. However, we do provide individual DBT therapy and DBT Skills Group for folks who have not had recent suicidal behavior and may not need C-DBT. Please reach out to our team if you have questions about whether comprehensive DBT could be the right fit for you.
Who Can Benefit from DBT?
Is DBT Right for You?
DBT may be particularly helpful if you:
Experience intense emotions that feel overwhelming
Engage in impulsive or self-destructive behaviors
Have been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder
Struggle with chronic suicidality or self-harm
Have difficulty regulating emotions
Experience trauma alongside emotion dysregulation
Have relationships characterized by conflict and intensity
Feel chronically empty or struggle with identity
Have tried other treatments without sufficient improvement
Want practical skills to manage emotions and crises
Need both validation and structured skill-building
Specialized
DBT Applications
DBT Adapted for Specific Needs
Summit offers specialized DBT applications including:
Individual DBT Therapy
One-on-one sessions focused on your specific goals and challenges
Trauma-Focused DBT Skills Group
Learn skills to address emotions and sequelae related to trauma
DBT-Prolonged Exposure (DBT-PE)
Combined approach for comorbid PTSD and BPD/emotion dysregulation
DBT for Complex PTSD (DBT-PTSD)
Integrated treatment for complex trauma, dissociation, and chronic relationship difficulties
DBT for Couples (DBT-C)
Skills-based approach for high-conflict relationships, learn how to interrupt problem patterns and develop collaborative solutions to relationship problems.
DBT for Families (DBT-F)
Family systems intervention for emotion regulation, learn how to deescalate conflicts and build sustainable communication and solutions.
ACT-Informed Values Work
Seek self actualization by identifying your values and learning how to move through emotion toward them.
Integrated Somatic Work
Learn and practice techniques for tending to your body and nervous system.
How DBT Works: A Phased Approach
Building Skills Before Processing Trauma
Phase 1: DBT Skills Building
Before trauma processing begins, you learn essential DBT skills including mindfulness, distress tolerance, and emotion regulation. These skills become your toolkit for managing the difficult emotions that arise during trauma work.
Phase 2: Emotional Experiencing and Trauma Processing
Once you have adequate emotion regulation skills, you begin emotion and trauma processing – to honor your find, find ways to get unstuck, and begin to move toward your values
Phase 3: Self-Actualization
Throughout Phase 2 and after, you continue using and refining DBT skills to manage emotions, maintain safety, and move toward a life in line with your values
Integrated Throughout: Safety Planning
DBT-PE includes robust safety planning and crisis management strategies. Your therapist monitors emotion dysregulation and ensures you’re managing well throughout treatment.
Why Choose Summit for DBT?
DBT Expertise
Summit Psychotherapy Center offers exceptional DBT expertise unmatched in the Bay Area. Our entire clinical team is trained through the DBT Programs at Stanford University, San Francisco VA, and Palo Alto VA. We are founding members of Stanford’s DBT Trauma Team. Dr. Jasmine Dobbs-Marsh directs the DBT Couples and Family Program at Stanford, developed the DBT Couples and Family program at The Camden Center San Francisco, and contributed to training and program development for The Camden Center Los Angeles. Our clinicians provide comprehensive DBT, train other therapists in DBT, and stay at the forefront of DBT developments including trauma-focused adaptations. When you receive DBT-focused treatment at Summit, you’re receiving treatment from some of the most highly trained DBT clinicians in California. We’re committed to delivering DBT with fidelity to the model while also adapting compassionately to individual needs.
Ready to Build a Life Worth Living?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy can teach you the skills to manage emotions, tolerate distress, improve relationships, and create a meaningful life. Our Stanford-trained team is here to guide you.