DBT Therapy
DBT, or Dialectical Behavior Therapy, is a form of psychotherapy designed to help people manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and build a life that feels more balanced and fulfilling.
About Dr Estefania
DBT therapy online: Designed to provide the best mental health care services
Dr. Estefania Luna is a licensed clinical psychologist and PSYPACT-authorized to provide online therapy across multiple states. She specializes in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), an evidence-based treatment designed to help individuals regulate emotions, develop mindfulness, and build healthier relationships. Her approach combines warmth, structure, and compassion—creating a safe and supportive environment for personal growth.
With years of clinical experience, Dr. Luna helps clients break free from emotional cycles, manage stress more effectively, and cultivate balance and resilience—empowering them to create lasting, meaningful change.
- Certifications:
DBT Therapy: What it is, how it works, and why it helps people create balance and emotional resilience
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is one of the most recognized approaches for treating emotional dysregulation and relationship difficulties. Though its name sounds clinical, its impact is profoundly human: helping people find balance, accept themselves, and build a life worth living.
What is DBT Therapy?
DBT, or Dialectical Behavior Therapy, is a form of psychotherapy that helps people manage intense emotions, reduce impulsive behaviors, and improve relationships through practical, skills-based strategies.
Developed by psychologist Marsha Linehan in the late 1980s, DBT combines elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy with mindfulness and acceptance practices. It has been extensively researched and is recognized by organizations such as the American Psychological Association and the National Institute of Mental Health as an effective treatment for conditions like borderline personality disorder, depression, anxiety, and chronic stress.
How does DBT work?
DBT is built on the idea that two things can be true at once: we can accept ourselves as we are, and still work to change behaviors that cause us pain. It combines mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness skills to help people navigate intense emotions without losing control or disconnecting from others.
In DBT sessions, clients learn to observe and name their emotions, tolerate distress without acting impulsively, and communicate needs clearly and assertively. Through structured exercises, coaching, and guided reflection, they begin to replace self-defeating patterns with conscious, balanced responses.
The result? Greater stability, resilience, and self-compassion. Instead of being ruled by emotions, you learn to understand them—and respond in ways that bring peace, not chaos.
What does DBT treat?
Although DBT was originally created to treat borderline personality disorder, its effectiveness has extended to many other emotional and behavioral challenges. It is now widely used to help with:
- Emotional dysregulation and mood swings
- Anxiety and depression
- Impulsivity and self-destructive behaviors
- Eating disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Substance use and addiction recovery
- Relationship difficulties
- Chronic stress and burnout
DBT can be adapted for adults, teenagers, and even children, and is effective both in person and through online therapy.
1
Building safety and stability
In the first stage, the focus is on reducing life-threatening behaviors, self-harm, or extreme emotional distress. The therapist works with you to create a sense of safety and stability while addressing crises that interfere with daily functioning. You’ll begin learning basic mindfulness and distress tolerance skills to stay grounded in the present.
2
Exploring emotions and processing the past
Once stability is achieved, therapy moves toward exploring the emotional pain and experiences that may have led to current struggles. The goal isn’t to relive the past, but to understand it and develop new ways of responding. You’ll practice emotion regulation skills that help you manage anger, sadness, and fear more effectively.
3
Building a life worth living
At this stage, DBT focuses on rebuilding relationships, setting personal goals, and developing a sense of purpose. You’ll learn interpersonal effectiveness skills—how to communicate needs clearly, set boundaries, and maintain self-respect while connecting with others.
4
Increasing joy and self-fulfillment
The final stage centers on acceptance and growth. Together with your therapist, you’ll work to strengthen resilience, deepen mindfulness practice, and find meaning beyond symptom management. The aim is not just to survive, but to thrive—living with authenticity, balance, and emotional freedom.
The 4 stages of DBT Therapy
DBT Therapy follows a structured process designed to help clients build emotional stability, improve relationships, and create meaningful, lasting change. Treatment typically unfolds across four main stages, combining individual sessions, group skills training, and between-session coaching.
What does the research say?
DBT has been extensively researched for over three decades, with strong evidence supporting its effectiveness in treating emotional dysregulation and self-destructive behaviors. Key findings include:
Significant reductions in self-harm, suicidal behaviors, and hospitalizations among people with borderline personality disorder.
Recognized by the American Psychological Association and the National Institute of Mental Health as an evidence-based treatment for multiple conditions.
Proven to improve emotional regulation, relationship satisfaction, and overall quality of life across diverse populations.
While the exact mechanisms behind DBT’s success continue to be studied, the results are clear—it helps people gain control over their emotions, make healthier choices, and build a life that feels worth living.
Benefits of DBT Therapy
✔️ Scientifically proven to improve emotional regulation
✔️ Reduces self-destructive and impulsive behaviors
✔️ Teaches practical skills to manage stress and relationships
✔️ Helps balance acceptance and change for lasting growth
✔️ Effective for a wide range of emotional and behavioral difficulties
✔️ Builds confidence, mindfulness, and emotional resilience
Is DBT right for you?
If you often feel ruled by your emotions—swinging between overwhelm, emptiness, or frustration—DBT can help you find balance.
It doesn’t matter how long you’ve felt this way. What matters is that there’s now a structured, evidence-based path to emotional stability, connection, and peace.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About DBT Therapy
DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) is a transformative, evidence-based approach that has helped millions of people manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and build a more balanced, fulfilling life. Whether you’re considering DBT or simply curious about what it involves, you’re in the right place.
Below, you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions about DBT. From understanding how the therapy works to exploring its benefits, these FAQs are designed to help you learn how DBT can support your journey toward emotional stability and personal growth.
1. What is DBT therapy?
DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) is a therapy that helps people manage intense emotions, reduce impulsive behaviors, and improve relationships through a balance of acceptance, mindfulness, and practical change-oriented skills.
2. What conditions is DBT used for?
DBT is primarily used to treat borderline personality disorder, but it has also proven effective for anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance use, post-traumatic stress, and other conditions involving emotional dysregulation.
3. How many sessions are needed?
Some people begin noticing changes within a few weeks, while others need more time—especially when addressing deeply rooted emotional or behavioral patterns.
DBT sessions typically last 60 to 90 minutes and follow a structured approach that combines individual therapy, group skills training, and between-session coaching. Regular check-ins ensure that progress is tracked and that the therapy stays aligned with your personal goals and real-life challenges.
4. How does DBT work?
During DBT, you learn and practice specific skills—like mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness—that help you respond to difficult situations without losing control. Over time, these techniques reduce emotional intensity, impulsive reactions, and self-defeating patterns, allowing you to create more balanced and intentional responses.
5. Do I need to talk in detail about my trauma?
No. Unlike traditional talk therapy, DBT doesn’t require you to analyze every past event in detail. Instead, it focuses on learning concrete skills to manage emotions in the present, improve relationships, and create lasting behavioral change.
6. Is DBT effective?
Yes. Numerous clinical studies have shown that DBT is highly effective, particularly for people struggling with emotional instability, self-harm, and relationship difficulties. It’s recognized by the American Psychological Association and other leading mental health organizations as an evidence-based treatment.
7. Can I do DBT if I don't have a severe trauma?
Yes. While DBT was originally developed for borderline personality disorder, it’s also highly effective for managing anxiety, depression, trauma-related symptoms, eating disorders, and other challenges involving intense emotions or impulsive behaviors.
9. Is DBT suitable for children?
Yes. DBT can be adapted for all ages, including teenagers and young adults. It has proven effective in helping them manage intense emotions, improve communication, and develop healthy coping skills from an early stage.
10. Is DBT a new therapy?
Although DBT was developed in the late 1980s, it has been thoroughly researched and widely validated. Today, it is considered a gold-standard treatment for emotional dysregulation and related conditions, recommended by mental health professionals around the world.