Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

At Infinite Path, several of our clinicians use Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills in individual sessions. DBT helps people manage intense emotions, cope with distress, and build steadier relationships.

What is DBT?

DBT was developed by psychologist Marsha Linehan. It grew out of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and adds a focus on acceptance. The word "dialectical" refers to holding two ideas at once: accepting yourself as you are, and working to change what is not helping.

The four DBT skill areas

• Mindfulness: noticing what is happening in the present moment, without judgment
• Distress tolerance: getting through a crisis or strong urge without making things worse
• Emotion regulation: understanding emotions and reducing how often and how intensely they take over
• Interpersonal effectiveness: asking for what you need and setting boundaries while keeping relationships and self-respect intact

What can DBT help with?

DBT skills may be helpful for people who experience:

• Emotions that feel overwhelming or hard to control
• Self-harm or urges to self-harm
• Frequent conflict or instability in relationships
• Impulsive choices they later regret
• Anxiety, depression, or difficulty coping with stress

What to expect

In DBT-informed sessions, your clinician teaches skills from the four areas and helps you practise them in situations from your own life. You may be asked to try skills between sessions and notice what works. We use DBT skills within individual therapy. We do not currently offer a full DBT program with a weekly skills group.