Resources and FAQs

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based therapy that can help 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.

It also can help Autistic and ADHD adults struggling with emotional difficulties.

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

For even more information, check out this page.

There are many books, podcasts, videos, and other options for learning DBT skills on your own. I have a big list of my favorite DBT skill resources on this page.

This is one of the most common questions I get asked.

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

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

This clinician directory is one option I include there 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.

I may offer trainings in the future. If I do, I will announce them through my newsletter—sign up below!

(*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 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.