DBT Treatment in Long Beach
Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Emotional Regulation and Mental Health
At Long Beach Shores Behavioral Health, we provide DBT treatment in Long Beach for adults who may benefit from structured support with emotional regulation, distress tolerance, communication, mindfulness, and relationship skills.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy, commonly called DBT, is a structured therapeutic approach that can help individuals better understand intense emotions, respond more effectively to stressful situations, and develop healthier behavioral patterns.
DBT-informed treatment may be used for individuals experiencing emotional dysregulation, depression, anxiety, trauma-related symptoms, relationship difficulties, impulsive behaviors, and other mental health concerns.
Our outpatient mental health programs are individualized based on each person’s symptoms, goals, treatment history, and recommended level of care.
What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on helping individuals develop practical skills for managing difficult emotions and navigating challenging situations.
DBT combines acceptance-based strategies with approaches that encourage meaningful behavioral change.
The term “dialectical” refers to the idea that two things can be true at the same time.
For example, a person can learn to accept their current emotions while also working toward healthier ways of responding to them.
DBT treatment commonly focuses on four primary areas:
Mindfulness
Emotional regulation
Distress tolerance
Interpersonal effectiveness
These skills are designed to be practical and applicable to everyday life.
How Does DBT Work?
DBT helps individuals become more aware of emotions, thoughts, behaviors, and relationship patterns.
During treatment, clients may learn to:
Identify emotions
Recognize triggers
Understand behavioral patterns
Pause before reacting
Manage intense emotions
Tolerate difficult situations
Communicate more effectively
Set healthy boundaries
Increase mindfulness
Improve problem-solving
Strengthen relationships
Develop healthier coping strategies
The specific focus of treatment depends on each person’s clinical needs.
The Four Core DBT Skills
DBT is commonly organized around four core skill areas.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness involves learning to pay attention to the present moment without immediately reacting to thoughts, emotions, or circumstances.
Mindfulness skills may help individuals:
Slow down emotional reactions
Recognize thoughts without automatically believing them
Improve concentration
Become more aware of emotions
Stay present during stressful situations
Reduce automatic behavioral responses
Make more intentional decisions
Mindfulness is often incorporated throughout DBT treatment.
Emotional Regulation
Emotional regulation involves understanding emotions and developing healthier ways to respond to them.
Individuals may learn to:
Identify and name emotions
Recognize emotional triggers
Understand how emotions influence behavior
Reduce emotional vulnerability
Respond more effectively to strong feelings
Build healthier routines
Increase positive experiences
Recognize patterns that intensify emotions
The goal is not to eliminate emotions but to help individuals manage them more effectively.
Distress Tolerance
Distress tolerance skills focus on managing difficult situations without reacting in ways that may create additional problems.
These skills may be particularly useful during periods of emotional overwhelm.
Treatment may help clients practice:
Grounding techniques
Mindfulness
Focused breathing
Distraction strategies
Self-soothing
Acceptance skills
Pausing before reacting
Managing immediate emotional distress
Distress tolerance can help individuals get through difficult moments while maintaining greater control over their responses.
Interpersonal Effectiveness
Interpersonal effectiveness focuses on relationships and communication.
Clients may learn strategies for:
Expressing needs
Setting boundaries
Saying no appropriately
Handling conflict
Asking for support
Listening effectively
Maintaining self-respect
Communicating clearly
Managing difficult conversations
Balancing personal needs with relationship needs
These skills can be used in romantic relationships, friendships, family relationships, school, and the workplace.
Who May Benefit From DBT?
DBT-informed treatment may be helpful for individuals who experience difficulty managing emotions or responding effectively to stress.
Someone may benefit from DBT if they struggle with:
Intense emotional reactions
Difficulty calming down
Frequent conflict
Impulsive decision-making
Anxiety
Depression
Trauma-related symptoms
Difficulty setting boundaries
Relationship difficulties
Mood instability
Chronic stress
Feeling emotionally overwhelmed
Difficulty tolerating uncertainty
Difficulty communicating needs
A mental health assessment can help determine whether DBT-informed treatment is appropriate.
DBT for Emotional Dysregulation
Emotional dysregulation occurs when emotions feel especially intense, unpredictable, or difficult to manage.
Someone may experience:
Rapid emotional changes
Strong reactions to stress
Difficulty calming down
Frequent frustration
Irritability
Feeling overwhelmed easily
Difficulty thinking clearly during emotional situations
Regret after reacting impulsively
DBT can help individuals identify emotional patterns and develop practical strategies for responding more effectively.
DBT for Anxiety
Anxiety can create strong emotional and physical reactions.
DBT skills may help individuals manage anxiety by improving:
Mindfulness
Distress tolerance
Emotional awareness
Stress management
Communication
Grounding
Acceptance of uncertainty
Response to anxious thoughts
DBT does not necessarily focus on eliminating every anxious thought. Instead, it can help individuals develop healthier ways of responding when anxiety occurs.
DBT for Depression
Depression can affect motivation, emotional regulation, relationships, self-esteem, and daily functioning.
DBT-informed treatment may help individuals:
Identify emotions
Improve distress tolerance
Develop healthier routines
Increase mindfulness
Strengthen relationships
Improve communication
Develop coping strategies
Increase participation in meaningful activities
Build greater emotional awareness
DBT may be incorporated alongside other therapeutic approaches based on individual needs.
DBT for Trauma-Related Symptoms
Trauma can contribute to intense emotions, anxiety, irritability, relationship difficulties, and feeling disconnected from the present moment.
DBT-informed skills may help individuals develop:
Grounding techniques
Distress tolerance
Emotional regulation
Mindfulness
Healthy boundaries
Communication skills
Improved awareness of triggers
Trauma treatment should be individualized and provided in a trauma-informed manner.
DBT for Relationship Difficulties
Strong emotions can make communication and relationships more challenging.
DBT interpersonal effectiveness skills may help individuals:
Communicate needs more clearly
Set appropriate boundaries
Manage conflict
Reduce impulsive reactions
Listen more effectively
Ask for support
Recognize unhealthy patterns
Maintain self-respect during disagreements
Strengthen relationships
These skills can help individuals approach relationships with greater confidence and awareness.
DBT and Impulsive Behavior
Strong emotions can sometimes lead to quick decisions or behaviors that a person later regrets.
DBT may help individuals practice creating space between emotion and action.
Treatment may focus on:
Recognizing triggers
Pausing before reacting
Considering consequences
Practicing distress tolerance
Using grounding skills
Improving problem-solving
Developing alternative responses
The goal is to help individuals make more intentional decisions during emotionally intense situations.
Individual DBT Therapy
DBT principles may be incorporated into individual therapy.
One-on-one sessions allow clients to work directly with a mental health professional on specific emotional and behavioral patterns.
Individual treatment may focus on:
Identifying triggers
Emotional regulation
Relationship challenges
Thought patterns
Stress
Coping strategies
Communication
Personal treatment goals
Applying DBT skills to real-life situations
Treatment is tailored to each individual’s needs.
DBT Skills Groups
Group therapy can be an important setting for learning and practicing DBT-informed skills.
DBT skills groups may focus on:
Mindfulness
Emotional regulation
Distress tolerance
Interpersonal effectiveness
Communication
Boundaries
Coping strategies
Problem-solving
Group sessions provide opportunities to learn new strategies and discuss how those skills can be applied to everyday situations.
DBT in an Intensive Outpatient Program
DBT-informed treatment may be incorporated into an Intensive Outpatient Program, or IOP.
IOP provides more structure than traditional weekly therapy and may be appropriate for individuals whose symptoms significantly affect everyday functioning.
Treatment may include:
Individual therapy
Group therapy
DBT-informed skills
Psychiatric support
Medication management when clinically appropriate
Mental health education
Coping-skills development
Stress management
Continuing-care planning
Clients participate in structured treatment while continuing to live at home.
DBT in a Partial Hospitalization Program
A Partial Hospitalization Program, commonly called PHP, provides a higher level of structured outpatient mental health support.
DBT-informed skills may be incorporated into individual and group programming.
PHP may include:
Structured daily treatment
Individual therapy
Group therapy
Emotional regulation training
Distress tolerance skills
Mindfulness
Psychiatric services
Medication management when appropriate
Ongoing symptom monitoring
Continuing-care planning
A clinical assessment can help determine which level of care is appropriate.
Mindfulness Skills in DBT
Mindfulness is a foundational part of DBT.
Individuals may practice learning how to notice:
Thoughts
Emotions
Physical sensations
Urges
Environmental cues
without immediately reacting.
Mindfulness exercises may include:
Focused breathing
Observing thoughts
Noticing physical sensations
Grounding exercises
Present-moment awareness
Describing emotions without judgment
Developing mindfulness can help individuals respond more intentionally to difficult situations.
Learning to Manage Intense Emotions
DBT helps individuals recognize that emotions often have a purpose, even when they feel uncomfortable.
Treatment may focus on understanding:
What triggered the emotion
What thoughts occurred
How the body responded
What action the person wanted to take
Whether that action would be helpful
What alternative response may be more effective
This process can help individuals develop greater awareness and control over emotional reactions.
Building Distress Tolerance
Some situations cannot be changed immediately.
Distress tolerance focuses on getting through difficult moments without making the situation worse.
Clients may practice:
Grounding
Slowing down reactions
Focused breathing
Self-soothing
Mindful distraction
Acceptance strategies
Recognizing what is and is not within their control
These skills can be useful during periods of intense emotional distress.
Improving Communication With DBT
DBT can help individuals communicate more effectively while maintaining healthy relationships and self-respect.
Skills may focus on:
Clearly stating needs
Expressing feelings
Setting boundaries
Saying no
Asking for what you need
Staying focused during conflict
Avoiding unnecessary escalation
Listening to another person’s perspective
Effective communication can reduce conflict and improve relationships over time.
DBT and Healthy Boundaries
Difficulty setting or maintaining boundaries can contribute to emotional stress.
DBT-informed treatment may help individuals learn how to:
Recognize personal limits
Communicate boundaries clearly
Respect the boundaries of others
Manage guilt related to saying no
Respond appropriately when boundaries are challenged
Balance relationships with personal well-being
Healthy boundaries can support stronger and more stable relationships.
What to Expect During DBT Treatment
Treatment begins with understanding the person’s current symptoms, emotional challenges, and goals.
A mental health professional may explore:
Current concerns
Emotional triggers
Relationship patterns
Behavioral responses
Coping strategies
Mental health history
Current stressors
Daily functioning
Previous treatment
Personal goals
The treatment plan can then identify DBT skills and therapeutic approaches that may be helpful.
Clients may also be encouraged to practice skills outside of therapy so they can become more useful in everyday life.
How Long Does DBT Treatment Take?
The length of treatment varies depending on:
Symptoms
Treatment goals
Progress
Level of care
Emotional and behavioral needs
Mental health history
Clinical recommendations
Some individuals may participate in DBT-informed treatment for a focused period, while others may benefit from longer-term support.
Benefits of DBT Treatment
Potential benefits of DBT-informed treatment may include:
Improved emotional regulation
Greater distress tolerance
Better communication
Stronger relationships
Healthier boundaries
Improved mindfulness
Better coping skills
Reduced impulsive reactions
Increased self-awareness
Improved problem-solving
Greater confidence managing difficult emotions
Better daily functioning
Treatment goals and outcomes vary based on each person’s needs.
Why Choose Long Beach Shores Behavioral Health?
At Long Beach Shores Behavioral Health, we provide individualized mental health care focused on practical skills and meaningful progress.
Our approach to DBT treatment emphasizes:
Individualized treatment planning
DBT-informed skills
Compassionate clinical support
Structured outpatient care
Mindfulness
Emotional regulation
Distress tolerance
Interpersonal effectiveness
Practical coping strategies
Psychiatric support when appropriate
Ongoing progress monitoring
Continuing-care planning
Our goal is to help individuals develop skills they can use beyond treatment to better manage emotions, relationships, stress, and everyday challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions About DBT
What does DBT stand for?
DBT stands for Dialectical Behavior Therapy. It is a therapeutic approach focused on mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.
What conditions can DBT help with?
DBT-informed treatment may be used for emotional dysregulation, anxiety, depression, trauma-related symptoms, mood concerns, relationship difficulties, impulsive behaviors, and other mental health challenges.
Is DBT only for borderline personality disorder?
No. Although DBT was originally developed for individuals with significant emotional and behavioral difficulties, DBT-informed skills are now used in treatment for a variety of mental health concerns.
What are the four main DBT skills?
The four primary skill areas are mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Is DBT available in outpatient treatment?
Yes. DBT-informed skills may be incorporated into individual therapy, group therapy, Intensive Outpatient Programs, and Partial Hospitalization Programs.
Can DBT help with anxiety?
DBT skills may help individuals manage anxiety by improving mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, communication, and the ability to respond more effectively to stressful situations.
Can DBT help with depression?
DBT-informed treatment may support individuals experiencing depression by strengthening coping skills, emotional regulation, mindfulness, relationships, and engagement in daily life.
What happens in a DBT skills group?
Participants may learn and practice skills related to mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, communication, boundaries, and interpersonal effectiveness.
How do I know if DBT is right for me?
A mental health assessment can help determine whether DBT-informed treatment or another therapeutic approach is appropriate based on your symptoms, treatment goals, and level of care.
DBT Treatment in Long Beach, California
Strong emotions can make everyday situations, relationships, and stressful experiences more difficult to navigate.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy provides practical skills that can help individuals become more aware of their emotions, tolerate distress, communicate effectively, and respond more intentionally to challenging situations.
At Long Beach Shores Behavioral Health, our DBT treatment in Long Beach is designed to provide individualized outpatient mental health support while helping clients develop practical skills for emotional wellness and improved daily functioning.
A mental health assessment can help determine whether DBT-informed treatment and our outpatient mental health services may be appropriate for your needs.