Dialectical Behavior Therapy

What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), developed by Marsha Linehan, is a comprehensive, evidence-based treatment designed for individuals who experience intense emotions, difficulty regulating behavior, and challenges in relationships. While originally developed for Borderline Personality Disorder, DBT is now widely recognized as an effective treatment for a range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, substance use, trauma-related difficulties, and mood instability.

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At its core, DBT helps individuals build a life worth living by strengthening the ability to manage emotions, tolerate distress, and navigate relationships more effectively. Treatment focuses on the development and consistent application of four key skill areas: mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.

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A Comprehensive, Fully Adherent DBT Program

DBT is not a single therapy technique—it is a structured, multi-component treatment. At ILR, we provide fully adherent DBT, which includes:

• Weekly individual therapy

• Weekly DBT skills training group

• 24/7 phone coaching for real-time support and skills application

• A dedicated DBT consultation team to ensure fidelity and quality of care

• DBT Case Management for managing your environment (Optional)

 

This model is designed to move beyond insight and into real-life behavior change, helping patients apply skills in the moments they need them most.

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Expertise, Training, and Fidelity to the Model

Delivering DBT with fidelity requires advanced training, ongoing consultation, and program-wide commitment. Our program meets the highest standards of DBT care:

• Board Certified through the Dialectical Behavior Therapy Linehan Board of Certification (DBT-LBC)

• All clinicians are intensively trained through Behavioral Tech, the official training organization founded by Dr. Linehan

• Ongoing consultation team meetings multiple times per week to review cases and refine treatment

• Continuous outcome monitoring using validated measures to guide treatment and track progress

This level of structure ensures that treatment is not only evidence-based in theory—but delivered with precision, accountability, and consistency in practice.

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What Makes Our DBT Program Different

• Fully Adherent DBT Model
  We deliver all core components of Dialectical Behavior Therapy—including individual therapy, skills training groups, phone coaching, and consultation team—ensuring treatment is provided exactly as designed and supported by research.

• Board-Certified Excellence
  Our program meets the highest standards of care through certification by the Dialectical Behavior Therapy Linehan Board of Certification, reflecting rigorous adherence to the DBT model.

• Intensively Trained Clinicians
  All providers are formally trained through Behavioral Tech, the official training organization founded by Marsha Linehan, with ongoing consultation and advanced training to maintain fidelity.

• Multidisciplinary, Team-Based Care
  Our clinicians work collaboratively across disciplines, meeting multiple times per week to review cases, refine treatment plans, and ensure coordinated, wraparound care for each patient.

• Measurement-Based Treatment
  We use validated pre-, post-, and weekly outcome measures to track progress, guide clinical decision-making, and ensure that treatment is data-driven and responsive.

• Individualized Treatment Planning (“Blueprint”)
  Each patient receives a personalized, evolving treatment plan developed and continuously refined by our team to target their specific needs and goals.

• Real-World Skill Application
  With access to phone coaching, patients receive in-the-moment support to apply DBT skills in daily life—not just in session—promoting lasting behavioral change.

• Accountability to Outcomes
  Our structured approach, combined with ongoing monitoring and team oversight, ensures a high level of accountability for both providers and patients, leading to more consistent and meaningful results.

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Who We Treat

We specialize in working with adults experiencing:

• Borderline Personality Disorder and other personality disorders

• Chronic emotion dysregulation

• Suicidal or self-harming behaviors

• Substance use, eating disorders, and other co-occurring disorders

• Relationship instability and interpersonal difficulties

 

Across the Lifespan

In addition to our adult DBT program, ILR offers developmentally tailored DBT services across the lifespan, including:

• DBT for Children (DBT-C)

• DBT for Adolescents (DBT for Teens)

Each program is adapted to meet the developmental needs of the individual while maintaining fidelity to the DBT model.

 

Getting Started

Not sure if DBT is the right fit? We offer comprehensive, non-committal initial assessments to help you better understand your needs and determine if DBT is right for you, as well as the most appropriate level of care.