What is DBT?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based approach developed by psychologist Marsha Linehan to help people build a life that actually feels worth living. While it was originally created to treat Borderline Personality Disorder, it’s now used much more broadly because the skills are effective for a wide range of challenges. Whether you’re dealing with emotional overwhelm, chronic stress, relationship struggles, impulsive behaviors, trauma responses, or patterns that feel hard to break, DBT offers practical support that meets you where you are.
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At its core, DBT helps you better understand your emotions, stay grounded in the present, communicate more effectively, and navigate distress without making things worse. It’s built on the balance of acceptance and change, meaning we learn how to validate what we’re feeling while also building the skills to move forward in a way that actually aligns with the life we want.
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DBT isn’t rigid or overly clinical. It’s practical, structured, and deeply human. You’re not just talking about problems, you’re learning tools you can use in real time. For many people, this is the first approach that really clicks… because it offers strategies that hold up even on the hardest days.
What is Phone Coaching
Phone coaching is a core part of DBT. It allows you to access support in real time, not just during your scheduled sessions. When something comes up and you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or on the verge of acting on urges that don’t serve you, you’re encouraged to reach out to your therapist for support.
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During these moments, your therapist will help you slow things down, walk through what’s happening, and guide you in using DBT skills to navigate the situation safely and effectively. The goal isn’t just to get through the moment, but to help you use what you’ve learned when it actually matters.
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Over time, this kind of in-the-moment coaching helps reinforce your skills so they start to feel more natural and accessible. Just like an athlete improves with coaching and repetition, phone coaching helps you build confidence in your ability to handle difficult situations—and eventually, to do so on your own.
What is Treatment Teams
DBT is built on collaboration. Rather than working in isolation, we often coordinate care with other important people in your life, such as your psychiatrist, physician, sober coach, or family members when appropriate.
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You are at the center of this process. Your goals, your values, and your vision for your life guide the work we do together. A treatment team simply allows everyone involved in your care to stay aligned and support you more effectively.
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At Wise Mind Counseling, we value this kind of collaboration because it often leads to more consistent, meaningful progress. When the right people are working together, it creates a stronger foundation for real, lasting change.
