How to Find a DBT Therapist

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a type of talk therapy that helps people manage intense emotions, cope with distress, and build steadier relationships. If you’ve decided DBT might help, the next step is finding a therapist who offers it in a way that fits your needs.

That search can feel confusing, because many therapists list DBT on their profiles but offer it in different ways. We put this guide together to explain what DBT includes, how to tell the different versions apart, and how to find a DBT therapist you feel good about.

Before you start searching, it helps to understand what DBT is and who it’s designed to help.

What Is DBT?

DBT is one of many types of therapy, and it’s based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Psychologist Marsha Linehan developed it in the 1970s, originally for people who experience very intense emotions.

DBT has been used for many concerns, including borderline personality disorder, self-harm, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance use, eating disorders, depression, and anxiety. The word “dialectical” refers to holding two ideas at once. In DBT, that usually means accepting yourself as you are while also working toward change.

DBT teaches skills in four main areas.

• Mindfulness. Learning to stay present instead of getting pulled into the past or future.
• Distress tolerance. Getting through hard moments without making the situation worse.
• Emotion regulation. Understanding your emotions and gaining more control over them.
• Interpersonal effectiveness. Asking for what you need, setting boundaries, and respecting yourself and others.

Knowing these basics makes it easier to understand the different ways therapists offer DBT.

What Is the Difference Between Full DBT and DBT-Informed Therapy?

Not every therapist who lists DBT on a profile offers the full treatment. Some therapists provide comprehensive DBT, which follows the complete model. Others offer DBT-informed therapy, which means they use DBT skills and ideas within a broader approach.

Understand What Comprehensive DBT Includes

Comprehensive DBT generally includes four parts.

• Individual therapy. You meet with your therapist weekly to work on your goals and stay motivated.
• Skills training. You learn DBT skills in a class-style group, and the full curriculum is taught over 24 weeks with homework.
• Phone coaching. You can contact your therapist between sessions for help using your skills in hard moments.
• Consultation team. Your therapist meets regularly with other DBT clinicians to stay on track and get support.

Understand What DBT-Informed Therapy Looks Like

In DBT-informed therapy, a therapist may teach you DBT skills during individual sessions without a separate group or phone coaching. This approach can be a good fit if you want to build specific skills, such as managing stress or communicating more clearly.

Decide Which Option Fits Your Needs

Full DBT was designed for people dealing with intense emotions, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts. For example, one trial found that adolescents at high risk who received DBT had fewer suicide attempts and less self-harm after six months than those in a comparison therapy. If those concerns are part of your life, it may help to look for a comprehensive program. If you mainly want to learn coping skills, DBT-informed therapy may be enough.

Once you know which version you’re looking for, you can focus on finding the right person.

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How Do I Find a DBT Therapist?

There are several places to start your search, and using more than one can help you find good options faster.

Check Your Insurance and Local Options

Your insurance company’s directory can show in-network therapists, and you can search for DBT or dialectical behavior therapy as a specialty. Your primary care doctor may also know local therapists or programs. University training clinics and community mental health centers may offer DBT skills groups too.

Look for Training and Certification

DBT therapists come from several professional backgrounds, including psychologists, counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists. Understanding the different types of therapists can help you see how each one’s training shapes their work.

Some DBT therapists also hold certification from the DBT-Linehan Board of Certification. To qualify, clinicians generally need an independent license, at least 40 hours of DBT-specific training, a year on a DBT consultation team, and a passed exam and recorded session review. Certification isn’t required to practice DBT, so many well-trained therapists aren’t certified.

Use a Matching Tool

A matching tool can save time by narrowing your options to therapists who fit your needs. We built Mental Health Match to make this part easier, and it’s free to use. You answer a few questions about what you’re looking for, including the approach you’re interested in, and we introduce you to therapists who are a strong fit. Many offer a free consultation, which is a good time to ask about their DBT experience.

Finding a few therapists is only part of the process, so the next step is knowing what to ask.

What Should I Ask a Potential DBT Therapist?

Asking questions helps you understand how a therapist works and whether their approach matches what you need. It’s also reasonable to ask about the therapy approach and the evidence behind it.

You might ask questions such as these.

• Do you offer comprehensive DBT or DBT-informed therapy?
• Do you have a skills group, and how often does it meet?
• Do you offer phone coaching between sessions?
• Are you part of a DBT consultation team?
• What training in DBT have you completed?
• How long does your program usually last?

You can add these to other questions for a new therapist, such as questions about fees, scheduling, and what a first session looks like. Pay attention to how you feel during the conversation too, since comfort and trust are an important part of any therapy.