What is DBT?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a structured, skills-based approach to individual therapy that helps people manage intense emotions, reduce self-destructive behaviors, and improve relationships. If you often feel overwhelmed by your feelings, stuck in patterns that don’t serve you, or unsure how to cope with stress, DBT offers real, practical help. It combines acceptance and change strategies to guide you toward feeling more in control of your emotions and life—without judgment. DBT therapy is especially effective when you’re dealing with big feelings and want support that feels both compassionate and clear.
DBT treatment is based on four key areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. These concepts are taught and practiced through guided individual therapy sessions where clients learn how to pause, reflect, and respond instead of reacting impulsively. With consistent DBT therapy training, many people experience noticeable changes in their ability to handle everyday challenges with greater calm and clarity.
DBT is helpful for people who want structured, supportive guidance to manage emotional distress and relationship challenges better. It’s commonly used to support:
If you’re curious about what to expect, here’s how DBT at Transformation Health typically works:
We start with a warm and supportive conversation to understand your goals, challenges, and whether DBT is the right fit. This is a chance to ask questions and build trust with your therapist.
Your therapist creates a personalized DBT treatment plan that addresses your needs. During your individual therapy sessions, you’ll start learning key DBT techniques to help you cope with difficult emotions and life situations.
Each week, your sessions focus on practicing DBT techniques and applying them to real-life situations. Along the way, you’ll work together to build new habits and explore what’s working—and what’s not—.
As you feel more in control and emotionally steady, sessions may focus on deeper goals like improving relationships, building long-term coping strategies, and maintaining growth. Your therapist continues to adjust the plan as needed.
At Transformation Health, we’re committed to providing truly personalized care. We understand that every individual’s journey is unique, and our DBT therapy sessions are always adapted to meet your emotional and practical needs. With a compassionate team that prioritizes emotional safety and genuine connection, our clients feel supported every step of the way.
Thoughtful, individualized DBT therapy plans tailored to your needs
A calm and supportive environment where you can feel emotionally safe
Therapists trained in effective DBT techniques and compassionate communication
Flexible scheduling to make regular individual therapy sessions more accessible
We also provide continued emotional support and check-ins to help you maintain your progress beyond your sessions.
The length of DBT therapy treatment varies, but many clients begin noticing changes within the first few months. A typical course may last between six months to a year, depending on your goals and how frequently you attend sessions.
During each DBT therapy session, you’ll talk with your therapist about current challenges and practice specific DBT techniques. These may include mindfulness exercises, role-playing new communication strategies, or exploring healthier emotion management methods.
DBT is a type of individual therapy that focuses on teaching skills in a structured way. While many individual therapy sessions may be more open-ended, DBT includes focused training on how to regulate emotions, cope with distress, and improve communication.
If you’re looking for individual therapy that offers fundamental real-life skills, DBT at Transformation Health may be a helpful next step. Reach out today to explore how we can help you feel more balanced, connected, and resilient.
Virginia Beach Office:
508 South Independence Blvd Ste. 200 Virginia Beach, VA 23452
tel: 757-490-6463