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Why choose Geisinger for dialectical behavior therapy?

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a form of talk therapy that teaches practical skills for managing emotions and building healthy relationships. It can treat a range of conditions, including borderline personality disorder, depression, PTSD, binge eating and bipolar disorder.

DBT combines individual and group therapy. In individual sessions, you'll learn skills to apply to everyday life. In group sessions, you'll practice those skills, share experiences and support others.

The program is built on 4 core modules — mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness — that help you understand your emotions, handle difficult moments and communicate more effectively.

Here, you'll have a full care team, including therapists, social workers and case managers, all working together to keep your treatment on track.

Conditions we treat

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FAQs

What is dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)?

DBT is a type of talk therapy that teaches practical skills for managing emotions, tolerating distress and building healthier relationships. It was first developed to treat borderline personality disorder, but it's now used to help with a range of mental health conditions — from depression and PTSD to bipolar disorder, disordered eating and substance use disorder.

What are the 4 modules of DBT?

DBT is structured around 4 core skill areas:

  • Mindfulness: The foundation of DBT. You'll learn to observe, describe and engage with situations without judgment.
  • Distress tolerance: Building on mindfulness, this module teaches you to accept yourself and your situation in the moment and to use strategies like self-soothing when things get difficult.
  • Emotional regulation: You'll learn to identify emotions like anger, frustration and anxiety and develop tools to regulate them.
  • Interpersonal effectiveness: This module focuses on communication, like asking for what you need, saying no and managing conflict without damaging your relationships or your self-respect.

What's the difference between individual and group DBT sessions?

In individual therapy, you'll work one-on-one with a therapist to learn DBT skills and apply them to situations in your own life. Group sessions are where you put those skills into practice, working alongside others who understand what you're going through. It's a space to share experiences, build confidence and offer — and receive — support.

Who can benefit from DBT?

DBT was built for people who experience intense emotions that feel difficult to manage. It's proven effective for many conditions, including borderline personality disorder, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, binge eating and substance use disorder. Plus, it can help with self-harm issues.

Dialectical behavior therapy at Geisinger

We're here to support you and your mental health, which means you’ll get:

  • Coordinated care: Our behavioral health team works alongside your other providers to make sure nothing gets missed, including conditions like depression that doctors often overlook.
  • Geisinger Health Plan resources: If you're a Geisinger Health Plan member, sign into your account anytime to find educational information and behavioral health resources.
  • Telemedicine options: Virtual appointments connect you with your behavioral health provider from wherever you are when coming in person isn't possible or convenient.