Our therapists offer DBT / dialectical behavior therapy in Pittsburgh, PA

My go-to approach for helping people in therapy is to start where they are, meaning what prompted them to come to therapy and what is weighing on them the most. My style is eclectic, so I prefer to adapt my methods to meet their needs, and this changes as therapy progresses. While an eclectic approach works for many people, sometimes a more structured approach is needed. I will include DBT information and tools in sessions when helpful, but true DBT is a structured program that follows a set of guidelines and written materials to support the process, with a DBT-educated clinician guiding the process.

DBT is similar to CBT but has more of a focus on emotional self-regulation, distress tolerance, and acceptance of circumstances. Some of the tools in DBT include acronyms that help people remember the steps of the tools. Some examples include DEAR MAN, ACCEPTS, and IMPROVE.

A client is making meaningful progress when they report using skills that they learned in therapy successfully. Anytime someone reports that therapy is helping them feel better, that is progress. When clients use DBT skills, they often see improvement in their relationships with others because they are regulating their own emotions better. Even small positive changes to your perspective and behaviors will have a significant and meaningful impact on your life.

Clients can supplement their time in DBT therapy by reading articles or books to increase their knowledge and understanding. If you find information on your own, it is always a good idea to ask your therapist to confirm that the information is accurate, especially for information found on social media or online videos.

To prepare for your first DBT therapy session, you can:

• Make a list of questions and/or concerns.
• Bring a list of any medications that you are taking — prescription, OTC, and supplements.
• Have a list of prior mental health treatments with dates and names if possible.