Therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT is a structured, skills-based form of CBT built for when emotions feel overwhelming or hard to control. It pairs acceptance (validating your experience) with change (concrete skills), and it’s one of the strongest treatments for self-harm urges and intense emotional swings.
Clinically reviewed by the Lyte Psychiatry Clinical Team · Last reviewed June 2026
What DBT is
DBT is a specific type of cognitive behavioral therapy designed to help people change patterns of behavior that aren’t helpful — like self-harm, suicidal thinking, and impulsive behaviors. The word “dialectical” points to its core balance: accepting where you are while working to change what isn’t serving you.
The four skill areas
- Mindfulness — being present and aware without judgment
- Distress tolerance — getting through a crisis without making it worse
- Emotion regulation — understanding and shifting intense emotions
- Interpersonal effectiveness — asking for what you need and setting boundaries while keeping relationships
What it helps with
DBT was developed for borderline personality disorder and for self-harm and suicidal behavior, and it’s now used more broadly for intense emotion dysregulation, impulsivity, eating disorders, and substance use. It’s especially helpful when emotions feel too big to manage. If you’re having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 now.
DBT and medication
DBT is often part of a broader plan that may include medication for co-occurring depression, anxiety, or PTSD. Your prescriber and therapist coordinate so the skills and the medical care support each other.
Frequently asked questions
What is dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)?
DBT is a specific type of cognitive behavioral therapy designed to help people change patterns of behavior that aren't helpful, like self-harm, suicidal thinking, and impulsive or substance-related behaviors. It combines acceptance (validating your experience) with change (building concrete skills), which is where the word 'dialectical' comes from.
What are the four DBT skill areas?
DBT teaches four core skill sets: mindfulness (being present and aware), distress tolerance (getting through crises without making them worse), emotion regulation (understanding and shifting intense emotions), and interpersonal effectiveness (asking for what you need and setting boundaries while keeping relationships).
What does DBT help with?
DBT was developed for borderline personality disorder and for self-harm and suicidal behavior, and it's now used more broadly for intense emotion dysregulation, chronic suicidal thoughts, impulsivity, eating disorders, and substance use. It's especially helpful when emotions feel overwhelming or hard to control.
How is DBT different from CBT?
DBT grew out of CBT but adds a strong focus on acceptance and on emotion-regulation and distress-tolerance skills, and it's often delivered as a structured program combining individual therapy with a skills group. CBT is broader and typically more focused on thoughts and behaviors around a specific problem.
Can DBT be combined with medication?
Yes. DBT is often part of a broader plan that may include medication for co-occurring conditions like depression, anxiety, or PTSD. Your prescriber and therapist coordinate so the skills work and the medical side support each other.
Related pages
This page is for general education and is not medical advice or a substitute for care from your own clinician. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), and for a medical emergency call 911.
When emotions feel like too much, there’s help
Our Texas psychiatry team can evaluate what’s going on and help you find the right mix of skills-based therapy and care. In-person in DFW or by video statewide. Same-week appointments available.
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