Women's Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Behavioral Health Behavioral Health

Based in part of the philosophy of Zen Buddhism, our Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Program is designed to help patients who have difficulty processing emotions, and who tend to respond to their emotions with self-harming behaviors and suicidal thoughts. It helps patients tolerate distress, regulate emotions, and interact effectively with others.

reflective woman

DBT has proven effective in treating patients with various types of emotion dysregulation, eating disorders, trauma, and chemical dependency, and it has had measurably successful outcomes in our Women’s Program. It helps patients validate and accept their emotions and experiences while also focusing on building skills so they can make necessary changes in their lives.


Treatment at both partial hospital and intensive outpatient levels of care includes a comprehensive evaluation by a board-certified psychiatrist or psychiatric advance practice nurse, an individualized treatment plan, evidence-based treatment, group and individual therapy, medication management, family education, psychoeducation groups, and expressive therapies like yoga, art, and writing. 

Through this program, we help our patients reduce self-harming behaviors and learn skills that help them exert more control over their emotions, including:

  • Mindfulness skills to help them be present in the here and now 
  • Distress tolerance skills to help them get through distressing situations
  • Emotion regulation skills to decrease impulsiveness
  • Interpersonal effectiveness skills to maintain healthy relationships

In balancing acceptance and change strategies, DBT helps women identify when they should use what type of skills to be more effective in their lives.

Depending on needs, treatment options include:

  • Partial hospital program: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. five days per week 
  • Intensive outpatient program: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. three days per week

Lunch is provided for full-day programs, and free transportation may be available within defined areas.