Emotions can sometimes become overwhelming, making it difficult to complete daily tasks and maintain stability. This can affect focus, decision-making, and relationships, especially during periods of ongoing stress. The good news is that dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) can provide tools to help you regulate emotions, navigate relationships, and achieve peace. Riverside Psychology offers dialectical behavior therapy in Westchester County, New York, to support you on your journey toward a thriving, balanced life.
DBT: A Path to Emotional Wellness
Dialectical behavior therapy is an evidence-based therapeutic technique combining aspects of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness practices. DBT was initially developed to treat borderline personality disorder, but it has since been proven effective for other mental health conditions, such as trauma, anxiety, and depression.
DBT is especially helpful for individuals who experience intense emotional reactions, rapid mood shifts, or difficulty returning to baseline after stressful events. Treatment focuses on understanding emotional patterns and on developing concrete skills to respond differently in challenging situations.
The Elements of Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Dialectical thinking is the ability to simultaneously hold and integrate multiple, sometimes opposing, perspectives. By embracing contradictions—such as the idea that one can both struggle and improve—individuals can acknowledge difficult emotions without judgment, accept reality, and develop healthier coping strategies.
The behavioral aspect of DBT focuses on identifying, understanding, and changing unhelpful behaviors and replacing them with more balanced responses. DBT teaches individuals to manage distress, regulate emotions, and improve relationships. To support this process, DBT emphasizes skills training that helps individuals apply these principles.
DBT Skills Training
At Riverside Psychology, we believe that everyone is doing the best they can with the skills they have—and we’re here to help expand those skills. DBT skills training is beneficial for individuals experiencing:
Impulsive behaviors
Feelings of isolation
Trouble staying grounded in the moment
Relationship conflicts
Emotional instability
Anxiety or depression
DBT skills training is a once-weekly individual therapy session where clients work with a therapist to develop four essential DBT skills:
Mindfulness. Promote awareness and reduce emotional reactivity.
Emotion regulation. Understand, manage, and express emotions effectively.
Distress tolerance. Build resilience in high-stress situations.
Interpersonal effectiveness. Strengthen relationship-building and communication skills.
With these skills, individuals can better understand themselves, others, and the world.
How DBT Is Structured
In practice, DBT emphasizes acceptance of current emotional experiences while actively building skills that support behavioral change. While each treatment plan is personalized, DBT typically includes the following steps:
Assessment and Goal-Setting
Therapy begins by identifying emotional patterns, behaviors, and situations that feel most disruptive. The therapist and client establish specific goals related to emotional regulation, relationships, and daily functioning.
Learning DBT Skills
Clients are introduced to DBT skills, concentrating on one skill set at a time. Skills are explained clearly, practiced in session, and discussed in the context of real-life situations.
Applying Skills to Current Challenges
Sessions highlight how DBT skills are used outside of therapy. Clients review situations where emotions felt intense and identify which skills were helpful or difficult to access.
Identifying Barriers to Skill Use
When skills are hard to apply, therapy explores what got in the way, such as emotional intensity, environmental stressors, or learned behavior patterns.
As therapy progresses, clients practice using DBT skills in different settings, including work, relationships, and high-stress situations, supporting long-term change. Ongoing practice of these skills helps clients apply DBT tools in real-life situations rather than limiting progress to the therapy setting.
DBT Skills Group for Extra Support
Riverside Psychology also offers a weekly DBT skills group for those seeking a supportive space. Participants explore DBT’s four core modules, share insights with peers, and receive professional guidance. These groups help clients practice DBT skills and create a sense of community. Group participation also allows individuals to observe how others apply DBT tools, reinforcing learning and supporting consistency between sessions.
Achieve Peace and Emotional Balance
If you’re ready to start your journey toward lasting change, Riverside Psychology is here to support you with dialectical behavior therapy in Westchester County, NY. We provide virtual therapy options to ensure you get the care you need. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.