DBT Resources and FAQs

Below, I offer tons of DBT resources and suggestions for finding various types of mental health support.

Please feel free to reach out if there's a specific resource you're looking for that I don't have here. I'm always willing to try to help folks get connected to what they need!

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based psychotherapy that helps people manage intense emotions.

    Originally created to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD), research now shows it can also help people with PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder, some eating disorders, substance abuse, and other diagnoses.

    DBT is likely helpful for so many people because it teaches dozens of concrete coping skills. Really, DBT Skills are life skills.

    But, for folks who need full DBT, not just DBT skills, it’s very important to make sure you find a therapist who is fully trailed in providing “real” DBT.

    To learn more, check out this page on “What is DBT?” with way more information, or listen to this podcast episode.

  • So many options!

    I have a big list of all my favorite DBT skill resources on this page.

    But also:

  • Finding a therapist—especially a DBT therapist—can be really tricky.

    On this page, I provide advice, resources, and therapist directories that can help.

    This clinician directory is a one good option for finding a DBT therapist, specifically.

  • So cool that you’re interested! It’s a very fulfilling career path.

    DBT is a very complex therapy to practice as a clinician. I recommend you start by learning the basics about the therapy and the skills, to see if it resonates with you.

    Any of the writing and resources throughout my website are useful places to start.

    From there, check out this Bookshop.com* shop or this Amazon list* for my favorite book recommendations for becoming a DBT therapist.

    If you're still interested after learning the DBT basics, you'll probably need to take an intensive clinical training.

    Of the trainings I've attended, Behavioral Tech was the best one. BTech was founded by Dr. Marsha Linehan (the creator of DBT) and many of the BTech trainers have been trained by her. Several BTech intensive trainings also offer direct consultation with DBT expert therapists! Fair warning: like many clinical trainings, it can be expensive.

    No matter what training you decide to get (or not), you'll have to learn the DBT skills—tons of resources for that here.

    (*These links are affiliate links; I may receive a commission on qualifying purchases made through them.)

  • A lot of people ask me to provide citations for the research I mention on my social media, so I made a google doc to keep track of it.

    My google doc includes some research studies that review all of the information we have about DBT’s effectiveness, but BTech also has a great overview of DBT’s research here.

  • Yes I do!

    You can check out my “shop” for a few free DBT-inspired mental health worksheets and resources.

    There, you’ll find a guide for figuring out your most joyful “life worth living,” a sensory self-assessment for self-soothing and self-care, and more.

  • If you went through an entire round (or 2 or 3) of DBT—congratulations! It’s hard work, and you deserve to feel proud.

    From here, the work is usually focused on continuing to use DBT skills in your everyday like and figuring out how to find long-term fulfillment on a deeper level.

    This is called “Stage 4” of DBT, but there really aren’t many DBT-specific resources to help you figure this part out. In my personal experience, it often includes exploring: