About dialectical behavior therapy (dbt)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a skills-based approach that blends acceptance and change strategies to help people manage intense emotions and improve relationships. Below you can browse therapists who list DBT among their approaches and learn more about how this therapy works.
What to compare in entries
| Credentials | A US state licence, or membership of a professional body such as BACP or NCPS. They are different kinds of thing; each profile shows what was supplied. |
|---|---|
| Focus | Whether dialectical behavior therapy (dbt) is listed as a main focus or among the wider list of areas. Entries show both. |
| Way of working | The approaches named on the entry. Two people working with the same concern can describe very different sessions. |
| Time in practice | Years in practice, as supplied. A fact to weigh, not a ranking. |
| Language | The languages sessions can be held in, where that matters to you. |
Common questions
How were these entries chosen?
Everyone listed on this page names Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) among the approaches they told the platform they use. They are not ranked, rated or endorsed by this directory, and the order is not a recommendation.
Do I need a referral to start?
No. You can contact a therapist through their entry directly. A GP referral is not required for independent online therapy.
What if the first therapist is not right?
Changing therapist is normal and expected, and can be done at any point. One session is a small sample of how someone works.
Entries for dialectical behavior therapy (dbt)
Savithri (Savi) Jayaweera, NCPS
Ref 151058
Compassionate counsellor for complex life challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English, Hindi, Sinhala
View listingDr. Paula Alvarez, LCSW
Ref 29756
Compassionate clinical social worker with practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Anger Languages: English
View listingDavid Potts, LCSW
Ref 23255
Practical, compassionate therapy for life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingKizzie Wells-Daniels, LPC
Ref 67515
Therapist for stress, parenting, and life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Parenting, Anger Languages: English
View listingSara Lowe, LPC
Ref 104527
Practical, compassionate therapy for life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Depression Languages: English
View listingFrank Centonze, LPC
Ref 297421
Direct, practical counseling for emotional recovery
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingFaryal Choudry, LCSW
Ref 266995
Compassionate guidance for stress and relationships
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingDestiny York, LPC
Ref 340789
Compassionate, practical counseling for life changes
Works with: Addictions, LGBT, Relationship Languages: English
View listingAnjanette Morton, LMHC
Ref 207471
Calm, practical support for life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingMichael Witham, LPC
Ref 56161
Practical, person-focused counseling for daily struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Anger Languages: English
View listingLisa Peter, LCSW, LIMHP
Ref 288708
Practical skills for anxiety and relationships
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingRev. Catherine Bogue, LCSW
Ref 168255
Compassionate guidance for life’s hard changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingDianna Wheeler, LPC
Ref 354614
Practical support for healing and stronger coping skills
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingJohn Swearengin, LPC
Ref 93490
Practical support for stress, addiction, and mood
Works with: Addictions, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingRobert Skuy, LCSW
Ref 53066
Practical, compassionate therapy for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Family, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingMaria Wilson, LCSW
Ref 138055
Understanding, practical support for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingVivian Fleming, LPCC
Ref 88191
Practical support for trauma and mood challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingDr. Robert Nolan, LMHC
Ref 15781
Steady, practical counseling for real-life struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Bipolar Languages: English
View listingColette Mattos, BACP
Ref 138095
Relationship and self-esteem focused counsellor
Works with: Relationship, Family, Parenting Languages: English
View listingCarson Gerber, LPC
Ref 27651
Compassionate practical therapy for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Parenting Languages: English
View listingKelley Sullivan, LCSW
Ref 526
Compassionate, practical therapy for real life struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English, Spanish
View listingDr. Robert Hunt, LPC
Ref 187307
Experienced therapist for life changes and emotion work
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingPatrick Gribel, LMHC
Ref 348422
Therapist focused on depth and steady change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Self esteem Languages: English, Portuguese
View listingJamie Finkelstein, LPC
Ref 16744
Compassionate counselor for practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingDanielle Turner, LCPC
Ref 43399
Practical, compassionate therapy for everyday challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Parenting Languages: English
View listingRani Sagar, BACP
Ref 180509
Gentle humanistic counselling for life changes
Works with: Relationship, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingNeha Kapoor, PACFA
Ref 212378
Compassionate counselling for stress and relationships
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingTkeyah Whaley, LCSW
Ref 256644
Practical support for stress and relationships
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingAngela Condit, LCSW, CSW
Ref 33489
Supportive clinical social worker focused on practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Depression Languages: English
View listingBrittany Meredith, LCPC
Ref 310847
Practical support for stress and life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingKaren Eldridge, LPC
Ref 12713
Compassionate, practical counseling for real life challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingBrandi Garner, LPC
Ref 209377
Practical, sex-positive counseling for adults
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Intimacy-related issues Languages: English
View listingLaDreamer Harrison, LCSW
Ref 267200
Supportive LCSW helping people find practical change
Works with: Relationship, Family, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingErin Allison, LCSW
Ref 349898
Compassionate LCSW offering practical, skill-based support
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Family, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingKimberley Roberts, LCSW, CSW
Ref 103862
Practical support for stress and relationships
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingMelinda Lamprecht, LPC
Ref 195990
Compassionate counseling with practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Depression Languages: English
View listingLinda Losi, LCSW
Ref 69906
Experienced LCSW offering practical, collaborative care
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, LGBT Languages: English
View listingRhonda McEntire, LMHC
Ref 243401
Compassionate counselor focused on practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingLinda Pollack, LPC
Ref 59084
Experienced Arizona counselor focusing on coping and change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingSeaneen Madden, BACP
Ref 129946
Practical, compassionate counselling for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingDr. & Mrs. Joy Rodriguez, LCSW
Ref 161011
Compassionate, practical therapy for real-life stressors
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingStacy Tallman, LISW
Ref 263912
Compassionate, practical support for life's hard moments
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingWilliam Signey, BACP
Ref 113870
Practical, person-focused counselling for life challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingAmanda Eidemiller, LMSW
Ref 218701
Supportive therapist focused on practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingSian Owen, BACP
Ref 234413
Calm, practical therapy for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Anger, Self esteem Languages: English, Welsh
View listingMore about dialectical behavior therapy (dbt)
What Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is and the principles behind it
Origins and core ideas
Dialectical Behavior Therapy emerged as a structured approach to help people facing emotional instability and painful patterns of behavior. It combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with a focus on balancing acceptance and change. At its heart is the idea of dialectics - holding two seemingly opposing truths at once - which encourages you to validate your experience while still working toward change. That balance is what distinguishes DBT from many other approaches. You will hear about four core skill modules - mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness - each intended to give you practical tools for day-to-day life.
Therapeutic stance and goals
Therapists who use DBT typically emphasize a collaborative, nonjudgmental stance that prioritizes clear goals and measurable progress. The approach values building a strong working relationship so you feel understood while learning new ways to respond to difficult situations. DBT aims to reduce harmful behaviors and increase your ability to live a life aligned with your values. Progress is often framed in terms of skills acquisition and behavior change rather than abstract insight alone.
What types of issues DBT is commonly used for
Emotional dysregulation and self-harm behaviors
DBT is frequently used when strong, rapid shifts in mood or intense emotional reactions cause problems in daily functioning. You may look into DBT if you notice impulsive behaviors, repeated crises, or patterns that include self-harm or suicidal thinking. The distress tolerance and emotion regulation components are intended to help you manage crises without resorting to actions that put you at risk or worsen relationships.
Relationship challenges and co-occurring conditions
People often turn to DBT when interpersonal conflicts feel overwhelming or when repeated patterns of conflict lead to isolation. DBT's interpersonal effectiveness skills teach ways to assert needs, set boundaries, and maintain respect in relationships. The approach also supports people who live with mood disorders, anxiety, or substance use by offering concrete coping strategies and a structure for addressing behaviors that impede recovery. While DBT can be helpful alongside other supports, it is one approach among many and its suitability depends on your goals and circumstances.
What a typical DBT session looks like
Structure and focus
A typical DBT experience combines individual sessions with skills-focused work. In individual sessions you and your therapist usually review recent challenges, apply a problem-solving lens to pressing issues, and practice skills in the context of your life. Sessions tend to be goal-oriented and may include homework to practice specific techniques between meetings. The emphasis is on learning by doing - you practice skills, reflect on successes and setbacks, and refine strategies that fit your life.
Skills training and practice
Skills training is a central element of DBT and often occurs in a group or practice setting. In these sessions you learn and rehearse techniques for mindfulness - learning to observe your experience without judging it - along with strategies for calming intense emotions and tolerating distress. You will also work on improving communication and getting your needs met effectively. The combination of individual coaching and skills practice aims to give you tools that become part of your natural responses, so that over time stressful moments become more manageable.
How DBT differs from other common approaches
Balance of acceptance and change
While many therapies focus primarily on changing thoughts or behaviors, DBT explicitly integrates acceptance as a therapeutic tool. You are encouraged to validate your feelings and experiences as real and meaningful, while simultaneously learning concrete strategies to alter patterns that cause harm. This dual emphasis helps prevent the sense of invalidation some people feel in purely change-oriented approaches.
Practical skill-building and behavioral focus
Compared with therapies that prioritize insight or exploration of past experiences, DBT foregrounds practical skills and behavioral outcomes. Sessions are typically oriented toward teaching and applying skills in real-life situations. That does not mean personal history is irrelevant - understanding patterns and triggers matters - but DBT tends to prioritize what you can do now to reduce suffering and improve functioning. The approach also often uses clear coaching strategies to guide you through moments of crisis and to reinforce the use of adaptive skills.
Who is a good candidate for DBT and how to find the right therapist
Determining fit
DBT may be a good fit if you find that strong emotions frequently lead to actions you regret, if you struggle to maintain relationships, or if you want concrete strategies to manage distress. You may also consider DBT when vague talk therapy has not given you the practical tools you need to interrupt harmful cycles. Fit also depends on your comfort with skills-based learning and a collaborative approach; many people appreciate the clear structure, while others prefer less directive styles.
Finding a therapist who lists DBT among their approaches
When searching for a practitioner, look for therapists who list DBT among their approaches and read their descriptions to understand how they integrate skills work into sessions. Compare how therapists describe their focus areas, therapeutic orientation, credentials, languages spoken, and professional experience. You can also note whether they emphasize skills training, individual coaching, or a combination of methods. It is reasonable to ask about how they structure sessions, how they measure progress, and what typical goals look like, so you can assess whether their approach aligns with your needs. Choosing a therapist is as much about the fit between your expectations and their style as it is about the specific method they use.
Final considerations
DBT offers a practical framework for reducing harmful patterns and building skills to navigate emotional life more effectively. If you are seeking concrete tools, a focus on both acceptance and change, and a structured path toward steadier functioning, exploring therapists who list DBT among their approaches may be a helpful next step. Use listings and therapist descriptions to identify professionals whose approach resonates with you, and trust your judgment about whether a particular therapist’s style and emphasis feel like a match for your goals.