Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Therapy in Boston and online across MA
Your emotions are valid AND they get in the way sometimes
Your emotions can feel like too much—like waves that knock you down before you even see them coming. One minute, you’re anxious or angry; the next, you feel completely numb and disconnected. Stressful days leave you feeling emotionally spent, and even minor things can trigger big reactions. It’s hard to stay grounded when you’re constantly trying to regulate what feels unmanageable. You may have even been told you’re “too sensitive” or dramatic, but deep down, you’re just trying to keep it together.
DBT may be right for you if:
You feel overwhelmed by emotions like anxiety, sadness, or anger—and don’t know how to cope in the moment
You go through intense mood swings or feel emotionally “numb” and disconnected from life
You use distractions (scrolling, drinking, overeating, isolating) to avoid what you're feeling
You act on impulse—whether it’s with food, money, relationships, or shutting people out.
There’s a critical voice in your head, judging you for how you feel and telling you to "get over it"
You’re constantly questioning your worth, struggling with self-doubt or people-pleasing
You feel anxious in relationships—worried you’ll be rejected or abandoned
You've tried therapy before but need something more practical and skills-based
You deserve tools that actually help. You’re not “too sensitive” or “too much”—your emotions just haven’t been met with the right support. We’ll build real-world strategies to help you stay grounded, self-aware, and more in control—without shutting yourself down.
With DBT, You’ll Learn To:
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DBT provides practical strategies to manage overwhelming emotions. You’ll learn how to pause, recognize what you’re feeling, and respond in a more balanced way. You’ll build a toolkit of healthy coping strategies like mindfulness, grounding, and distress tolerance to feel more in control and less reactive.
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I’ll help you build effective communication skills, set healthy boundaries, and approach conflicts with confidence. You’ll learn how to balance your needs with those of others, strengthening your connections while staying true to yourself. We’ll explore the roots of abandonment fears, help you regulate them, and build safer, more secure relationships—starting with the one you have with yourself.
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Impulsive behaviors like binge eating, overspending, or self-harm are often attempts to escape emotional pain. With DBT, you’ll learn healthier coping strategies, giving you the tools to make more empowering you to make mindful choices and break free from impulsive habits
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Self-doubt and shame can be loud. We’ll work on building self-compassion, challenging negative beliefs, and helping you feel more confident in your own skin. Whether you feel numb, detached, or unsure what you’re feeling—DBT helps you tune back in and find calm and clarity in the present moment.
Let’s Build Something Different
I am a DBT-Linehan Board of Certification, Certified Clinician™, which means I have been rigorously trained and evaluated to provide gold-standard, evidence-based Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). This certification ensures I deliver comprehensive DBT, following the full treatment model created by Dr. Marsha Linehan. With this expertise, I help clients build emotional resilience, navigate relationships, and break free from unhelpful patterns using DBT’s proven strategies for lasting change.
Together, we’ll develop personalized strategies to help you regain control, build resilience, and create lasting change. If you’re ready to take the first step, I’m here to support you on your journey to healing and growth.
Build a life worth living
DBT FAQs
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Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a cognitive-behavioral therapy approach designed to help people manage intense emotions, strengthen relationships, and build healthier coping strategies. Originally developed to treat Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), DBT is now widely used to address anxiety, depression, trauma, self-harm, and emotional regulation challenges.
DBT combines four key components to help you manage emotions and improve your quality of life:
Mindfulness: Learn to stay present in the moment, helping you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings without judgment.
Distress Tolerance: Develop coping skills for handling crises and emotional pain in a healthier way, instead of resorting to impulsive behaviors.
Emotional Regulation: Understand your emotions and learn to manage them, so you don’t feel controlled by your feelings.
Interpersonal Effectiveness: Build skills to improve your relationships, set healthy boundaries, and communicate more effectively.
In DBT, we work together through individual therapy, skills training, phone coaching, and, sometimes, group therapy to practice these skills in real-life situations.
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DBT is helpful for anyone wanting help for tough emotions, including intense mood swings, impulsivity, self-destructive behaviors, or chronic feelings of emptiness. It’s often used for people experiencing:
Anxiety and depression
Trauma and PTSD
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Eating disorders
Substance use issues
Relationship challenges
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Group therapy is often a core part of DBT, as it allows you to practice and learn skills in a supportive environment. However, individual therapy alone can also be highly effective for learning DBT skills. In individual sessions, we’ll work through the skills most relevant to your needs, and I’ll guide you in applying them to your specific challenges. We can discuss whether individual, group, or a combination of both is the best fit for you.
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DBT is usually structured in phases, with skills training typically taking place over 6 months to a year. The length of treatment depends on your unique needs, goals, and progress. Some people benefit from ongoing therapy, while others find that after mastering the core skills, they can continue practicing on their own. During our initial sessions, we’ll set goals and create a personalized plan that works for you.
For additional FAQ’s about treatment with Betsy, visit the About page