Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) in Edina & Minneapolis, MN
When emotions become overwhelming, it can be easy to act impulsively, withdraw from others, spiral in self-criticism, or rely on unhealthy coping habits that create more problems later.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches practical skills for navigating difficult moments successfully. It can help you understand yourself better, tolerate distress, communicate more effectively, and respond to situations with greater intention.
The therapists at MN Mental Health Consulting incorporate DBT principles and skills into individual therapy for adults, teenagers, and adolescents. Sessions are available at our Edina office and through secure telehealth throughout Minnesota.
What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy is an evidence-based form of cognitive behavioral therapy. It balances two important ideas: accepting yourself and working toward meaningful change.
Two things can be true at the same time. You can accept that you’re experiencing challenging emotions and learn healthier ways to respond to them.
DBT is active, practical, and focused on developing skills you will use in your daily life. It has a 72% success rate at helping people reduce depression and anxiety symptoms, and is helpful if you suffer from an eating disorder or a substance abuse disorder.
What Happens During Dialectical Behavior Therapy?
Your therapist will first work with you to understand what is happening and what you would like to change. DBT is collaborative, so your goals and lived experience help guide treatment.
Then, you’ll spend time examining and identifying any triggers, difficult emotions, urges, unhelpful thoughts, or damaging behaviors you’re dealing with. Your therapist will not criticize your past decisions. Their goal is to help you understand unhelpful patterns in your life so you can stand on a new path.
The Four Main DBT Skills
After you’ve learned more about the challenges you’re facing, your therapist will help you learn and practice helpful skills to help you reach your goals. DBT is organized around four primary skills: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Together, they help you respond more thoughtfully when emotions or circumstances feel difficult.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness involves paying attention to the present moment without immediately judging or trying to escape it. You’ll learn to slow down your thoughts and urges, become more aware of emotional patterns, and make choices that better reflect your goals.
Distress Tolerance
Some situations cannot be solved immediately. Distress tolerance skills help you manage the emotional pain or uncertainty you feel without making the situation worse. You’ll learn ways to calm your body, redirect your attention, and accept situations you can’t immediately change. You’ll eventually be able to create enough emotional space to choose your next step more thoughtfully.
Emotion Regulation
Emotion regulation helps you learn how emotions work, what makes you feel vulnerable, and how to respond mindfully and in line with your values. The goal is not to change how you feel, but to support yourself while you feel them.
Interpersonal Effectiveness
Interpersonal effectiveness skills focus on communication, boundaries, and conflict. You learn how to ask for what you need, say no, and maintain your self-respect while considering the needs of others. This is a great skill to learn if you struggle with people-pleasing, fear of rejection, or expressing yourself clearly.
Do You Need a Specific Diagnosis to Benefit From DBT?
No. Originally developed for people with borderline personality disorder, DBT has now been adapted to address several other emotional and behavioral concerns. The mindfulness and regulation skills you learn in DBT can help anyone manage intense emotions, reduce harmful behaviors, and improve relationships.
You do not need any particular diagnosis to benefit from DBT skills. DBT-informed therapy may be especially helpful if you experience:
- Intense emotions that feel difficult to control
- Anxiety, depression, or chronic stress
- Impulsive reactions or behaviors
- Difficulty calming down after conflict
- Emotional shutdown, avoidance, or numbness
- Black-and-white or all-or-nothing thinking
- Self-criticism, shame, or low self-worth
- Relationship conflict or difficulty setting boundaries
- Trauma-related emotional reactions
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) in Edina, Minneapolis, and Surrounding Areas
Our clinicians provide personalized, evidence-based care for teens and adults experiencing emotional highs and lows, relationship concerns, anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, and other life challenges. The team includes therapists with training in DBT and other approaches, allowing treatment to be tailored to your needs rather than following a one-size-fits-all plan.
In-person sessions are available at our office in Edina, MN. We serve clients in Minneapolis-St. Paul, including Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Hopkins, Richfield, St. Louis Park, Minnetonka, Golden Valley, and Plymouth. We also offer secure telehealth therapy throughout Minnesota. If another approach, like CPT or Brainspotting, fits better, we can help you explore those options.
Build Real-Life Coping Skills With DBT
You can’t prevent every difficult season in your life, but you can learn how to move through those moments with more ease.
Call or text (612) 203 2961 or book an appointment online and see how it works for yourself.
Questions About Dialectical Behavior Therapy
What does DBT stand for?
DBT stands for Dialectical Behavior Therapy. “Dialectical” refers to bringing together two ideas that may seem opposite. In DBT, the primary balance is between accepting yourself as you are and making changes that improve your life.
What are the four skills taught in DBT?
The four primary DBT skill areas are mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. These skills help you stay present, manage difficult moments, understand emotions, and communicate more effectively.
How is DBT different from CBT?
DBT developed from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, so the two approaches have several similarities. CBT often focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. DBT places additional emphasis on acceptance, mindfulness, intense emotions, distress tolerance, and relationships. Many of our therapists are trained in both approaches, so you don’t need to choose between them.
Is DBT only for borderline personality disorder?
No. Although DBT was originally developed to treat borderline personality disorder and chronic suicidal behavior, its skills are now used with people experiencing many different concerns. You do not need a borderline personality disorder diagnosis to learn DBT skills.
Can DBT skills help teens experiencing strong emotions?
Yes. Adolescence can bring many different pressures in life, as well as uncertainty about the future. When teens do not yet have the tools to manage these experiences, the stress can feel impossible to overcome. DBT skills give teenagers concrete ways to pause, recognize what they are feeling, tolerate distress, and communicate more clearly.
Can DBT help with trauma?
What if I am experiencing self-harm or suicidal thoughts?
DBT can help with suicidal thoughts, self-harming behaviors, and passive suicidal ideation, but it depends on your safety needs. If you are in immediate danger or unable to remain safe, call 911 or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Talk to your therapist about your concerns, and they can make recommendations that work best for you.
Which insurances do you accept?
We are in-network with BlueCross BlueShield, Aetna, HealthPartners, Optum, UnitedHealth Group, United Healthcare, Ucare, Medicaid, PreferredOne, Hennepin Healthcare, Cigna, and South Country Health Alliance. However, insurance coverage can vary depending on the provider and plan. Please see our rates for more information.