Dialectical Behavior Therapy in Orange County
Learning to hold two currents at once.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) combines individual therapy with structured skills training, helping clients build tools for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and healthier relationships. At Stillwater Behavioral Health, DBT is central to how we treat Orange County clients with BPD and related conditions.
What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?
Originally developed to treat Borderline Personality Disorder, DBT has since proven effective for a range of conditions involving intense emotional responses. It combines acceptance-based strategies with change-focused skills across four core areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
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Who DBT Is For
Most closely associated with treating BPD, but also used for conditions involving emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, or self-destructive behavior patterns.
What to Expect in DBT
"Dialectical" means holding two true things at once — accepting where you are right now, while still working to change it. That's the current DBT teaches you to hold steady in, through skills training focused on:
- Mindfulness — Staying present and grounded
- Distress tolerance — Managing crisis moments without making things worse
- Emotional regulation — Understanding and managing intense emotions
- Interpersonal effectiveness — Building healthier communication and relationship patterns
What a First Session Looks Like
Your therapist will walk you through how DBT is structured — typically individual sessions alongside skills training — and start identifying which of the four skill areas feels most urgent for what you're currently navigating.
Where DBT Is Offered
DBT is available at our Costa Mesa facility, serving clients throughout Orange County, including Newport Beach and Irvine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DBT only for BPD?
No — while DBT was developed for BPD, its skills are also used for conditions involving intense emotions, impulsivity, or self-destructive patterns.
What's the difference between DBT and CBT?
DBT places more emphasis on emotional regulation and acceptance-based skills, while CBT focuses more directly on identifying and reframing thought patterns. Some clients benefit from both.