Dialectical Behavioral Therapy in Orange County, CA.
What Is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy?
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) was developed to support individuals dealing with powerful emotions and patterns of behavior that are difficult to manage. Originally created to treat borderline personality disorder, DBT is a specialized form of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy designed to help individuals build resilience, manage emotions, and cultivate a balanced life. It combines elements of acceptance and change, empowering participants to navigate life’s challenges with grace and skill.
At Friendly Recovery, Process Groups are available across all levels of care, including Outpatient (OP), Intensive Outpatient (IOP), and Partial Hospitalization (PHP).
“Before, I felt like I was always stuck in crisis mode, and everything felt like too much. DBT really helped me understand myself and build a more stable and manageable life.”
Principles of DBT
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy follows several core principles. They include the following:
Dialectical Thinking: Clients are encouraged to hold two seemingly contradictory truths at once, reducing black-and-white thinking and promoting flexibility.
Validation and Acceptance: Therapists validate the client’s experiences while also encouraging growth.
Collaborative Therapy: A strong therapeutic alliance often involves structured formats, such as individual therapy, skills training groups, and between-session coaching.
Ongoing Reinforcement: Identify unhelpful patterns and replace them with more effective actions.
The Origins and Impact of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
DBT was developed in the late 1980s by psychologist Dr. Marsha Linehan, who recognized the need for a more validating approach for individuals with intense emotional pain, particularly those diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Her revolutionary approach combined behavioral science with mindfulness practices and became a go-to treatment for complex emotional and behavioral issues. Today, DBT is used across a range of diagnoses, including bipolar disorder, PTSD, eating disorders, and more.
How DBT Helps With BPD, Trauma, Anxiety, and Emotional Dysregulation
DBT has been shown to improve symptoms in those dealing with dramatic changes:
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD): DBT is one of the few therapies specifically designed for BPD and offers strong evidence of effectiveness.
Trauma and PTSD: DBT helps clients safely manage trauma responses and process painful experiences.
Suicidal Thoughts or Self-Harm: Clients learn practical strategies for staying safe and reducing harmful behaviors.
Intense Anxiety or Mood Swings: DBT builds tools for regulating emotions and restoring inner balance.
Relationship Conflicts: Through interpersonal skills training, clients learn how to express needs and resolve conflicts effectively.
“DBT gave me structure and tools I could use. It wasn’t just talking about feelings, it was learning what to do when everything felt like too much.”
Key DBT Techniques
Our DBT programming includes skills drawn from all four DBT modules:
Mindfulness Practices: Mindfulness focuses on awareness exercises to stay grounded and reduce emotional overwhelm.
Distress Tolerance Techniques: Tools like self-soothing, distraction, and radical acceptance to handle crises without making them worse.
Emotion Regulation Skills: Methods to understand, label, and shift emotional responses.
Interpersonal Effectiveness Strategies: Role-playing and goal-setting to improve communication and set boundaries.
Advantages of DBT
We’ve built our DBT services around flexibility, expertise, and whole-person care.
Tailored to You: We customize DBT plans to meet your unique emotional needs and life goals..
All Levels of Care: Offered through OP, IOP, PHP, and telehealth to ensure support that fits your lifestyle.
Clinical Excellence: Our DBT-trained clinicians use the most up-to-date, research-backed methods
Safe & Respectful Environment: A compassionate space to heal, grow, and connect.
Long-Term Skills: You’ll leave therapy with tools that stay with you for life.
Getting Started With Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Starting therapy can feel like a big step, but it doesn’t have to be confusing.
Here’s how to move forward:
- Book a Consultation: We’ll listen and help determine if DBT is the right fit for you.
- Get Matched with a Therapist: Our team will connect you with a licensed DBT specialist.
- Confirm Your Coverage: We accept many insurance plans and can verify your benefits quickly.
What to Expect in DBT
Your first session will focus on understanding what you’re going through and identifying your goals for treatment. As therapy progresses, you’ll work closely with your therapist to learn and apply DBT skills within our outpatient programs (OP), intensive outpatient programs (IOP), partial hospitalization programs (PHP), and telehealth services. You’ll begin to notice a shift, less reactivity, more control, and greater emotional resilience.
What makes DBT at Friendly Recovery unique:
Expert DBT Therapists: Skilled in full-model DBT and adapted approaches.
Men’s and Women’s Tracks: Gender-specific groups available.
Supportive Environment: Judgment-free and trauma-informed care.
Integrated Wellness: We combine DBT with other treatments to support full recovery.
FAQs About DBT
How long does DBT take to work?
Most clients begin noticing improvements within a few weeks, but a full DBT program typically lasts 6 months to a year, depending on your needs.
Is DBT just for borderline personality disorder?
No. While it was developed for BPD, DBT is now widely used for anxiety, trauma, self-harm, eating disorders, and emotional dysregulation.
Do I have to do group therapy for DBT?
DBT usually includes both individual sessions and group skills training. Both parts are important, but we’ll work with you to create a schedule that feels right.
Does insurance cover DBT at Friendly Recovery?
Many insurance plans do cover DBT. We can help you check your benefits and make the process smooth.
Is DBT available online or just in person?
We offer both. Telehealth options make it easy to access DBT from home while staying consistent with treatment.
How do I get started with DBT at Friendly Recovery?
Reach out to us directly to schedule a consultation. We’ll match you with the right DBT-trained therapist and walk you through your next steps.
Stay Regulated, Not Reactive
When emotions feel overwhelming to manage and relationships feel like a minefield, DBT offers practical ways to navigate life with greater peace, self-control, and confidence. Friendly Recovery in Tustin, CA, will help you move forward with regulated stability.
Medically Reviewed By: Shahana Ham, LCSW
Shahana Ham, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Southern California. She specializes in client-centered care for individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges, fostering a supportive environment for healing and growth.
