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DBT therapy in Phoenix, Scottsdale & Mesa

DBT teaches concrete skills for handling intense emotions, so moments that used to feel like too much become ones you can move through. If big feelings keep pulling you off course, DBT gives you practical tools to steady them.

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The basics

The idea behind DBT

DBT stands for Dialectical Behavior Therapy. It was developed by psychologist Dr. Marsha Linehan, and it blends two things that can sound like opposites: fully accepting where you are right now, and building the skills to change what is not working. That balance is what the word dialectical points to.

Where some therapy focuses mostly on insight, DBT is hands-on. You learn practical tools you can use in real moments, not just talk about them.

It was first created for people who feel emotions very intensely, and it has since helped with a wide range of struggles where big feelings get in the way of the life you want.

One thing worth knowing: DBT is built around skills you actually practice, so the work carries into your daily life and not only the therapy room.

The skills

How DBT works: four core skills

DBT is built on four sets of skills. Your therapist helps you learn and practice the ones that fit what you are facing, at your pace.

1

Mindfulness

Noticing what is happening inside you without being swept away by it.

2

Distress tolerance

Getting through a crisis moment without making it worse.

3

Emotion regulation

Understanding your emotions and easing their intensity.

4

Interpersonal effectiveness

Asking for what you need and holding boundaries while keeping your relationships intact.

Who it is for

What DBT can help with

DBT is best known for helping with intense emotions and urges to self-harm, and the same skills ease related struggles that come with big feelings.

What to know

Before you start

In practice
About 50 minutes
A typical session length
Skills first, then build
Starting with steadying skills, at a pace that fits you
In person or online
Any Valley office, or telehealth anywhere in Arizona
The evidence

A strong evidence base, especially for people who feel emotions intensely or struggle with self-harm urges.

American Psychological AssociationEvidence-based treatmentDecades of research
Our therapists

Find a therapist trained in DBT

Several of our licensed Arizona therapists are trained in DBT. Answer a few quick questions and we'll shortlist the ones who fit you, or browse the full team.

More ways we help

We help with a lot more, too

Carrying more than one thing at once? Here are a few related areas, or see everything we help with.

FAQ

Common DBT questions, answered

What is DBT and who is it for?
DBT, or Dialectical Behavior Therapy, is a skills-based type of therapy for people who feel emotions intensely. It teaches practical tools for staying steady in hard moments, easing emotional swings, and handling conflict. It was first designed for emotional intensity and now helps with a wide range of struggles.
Is DBT only for borderline personality disorder?
No. DBT was first developed for it, but the same skills help anyone whose emotions feel intense or hard to manage, including anxiety, depression, impulsivity, relationship conflict, and disordered eating. You do not need any diagnosis to benefit from learning DBT skills with a therapist.
What is the difference between DBT and CBT?
Both are practical and skills-based. CBT focuses on changing unhelpful thought patterns. DBT builds on CBT by adding acceptance and specific skills for intense emotions and relationships. Many people who feel emotions strongly find DBT's tools especially steadying. Your therapist helps you choose.
Can I do DBT online?
Yes. DBT-informed therapy works well by telehealth as long as you are located in Arizona during your session. You practice the same skills and can review them between sessions. You can also meet in person at any of our Valley offices, whichever fits your life.
Does insurance cover DBT?
Often. DBT-informed sessions are billed like standard therapy. We are in-network with Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare/Optum, and self-pay starts at $50 per session with a graduate intern. We verify your coverage for free before your first session.