Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
in person for Lubbock, TX and virtually for all of Texas
DBT was designed for people who feel things intensely — and who haven't found that standard therapy gave them the practical tools they needed. It's skills-based, structured, and built for real life.
Accepting new clients --- Most Insurances Accepted
IS THIS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Who Is DBT For?
DBT was originally developed for borderline personality disorder, but it's now used widely for anyone who struggles with emotional intensity. You might be a good fit if:
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Your emotions go from 0 to 100 fast — and coming back down takes a long time
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You find yourself doing things in the heat of the moment that you later regret
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Relationships feel intense, unstable, or all-or-nothing
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You use self-harm, substances, food, or other behaviors to cope with overwhelming feelings
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You feel chronically empty, numb, or like you don't know who you are
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You're often told your reactions are "too much" — or you've started to believe it
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You want practical skills, not just insight
DBT is for people who are capable of change and want tools that actually work in real moments — not just in the therapy room.
THE APPROACH
How DBT Works
DBT is built on the core idea that two things can be true at once: you are doing the best you can, AND you can do better. This "dialectical" stance — holding acceptance and change together — forms the foundation of the approach. Rather than treating emotional sensitivity as a flaw to fix, DBT treats it as something to understand and work skillfully with.
DBT teaches four core skill modules. Mindfulness is the foundation — learning to observe your own experience without judgment and to stay present rather than reacting automatically. Distress Tolerance focuses on surviving crisis moments without making things worse — practical tools for riding out intense emotions when you can't immediately solve the problem. Emotion Regulation teaches you to understand your emotional patterns, reduce vulnerability to intense emotions, and shift emotional states more effectively. Interpersonal Effectiveness provides scripts and strategies for asking for what you need, saying no, and maintaining relationships while keeping your self-respect.
Standard DBT involves both individual therapy and a skills group, though at Flatland Counseling we deliver DBT skills in individual therapy sessions when group isn't appropriate or available. DBT skills are highly teachable and practical — they're designed to be used in the middle of real situations. Many clients find that DBT gives them what years of other therapy didn't: not just understanding of their emotions, but tools to actually handle them.
Evidence-Based Care
DBT has strong research support for borderline personality disorder, suicidality, self-harm, eating disorders, substance use, and emotion dysregulation across many diagnoses.
77% reduction in suicidal behavior and self-harm shown in clinical trials of DBT — one of the highest effect sizes in all of psychotherapy
THE PROCESS
What to Expect
Step 1: Reach Out
We'll match you with a therapist trained in DBT. Most clients are seen within 1–2 weeks. Let us know DBT is specifically what you're looking for.
Step 2: Your First Session
Your therapist will conduct a thorough assessment of your emotional patterns, history, and goals — and introduce the DBT framework and what to expect from skills-based work.
Step 3: Start Making Progress
You'll build skills progressively, starting with mindfulness and distress tolerance, and applying them to real situations in your life. Most clients begin to notice significant differences in how they handle crises within a few months.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a borderline personality disorder diagnosis to benefit from DBT? -- No. While DBT was originally developed for BPD, it's now widely used for anyone who struggles with emotional intensity, impulsivity, self-harm, eating disorders, substance use, depression, or PTSD. The skills are practical and broadly applicable — if emotional dysregulation is a significant part of what you're dealing with, DBT may be helpful regardless of diagnosis.
What's the difference between DBT skills and regular therapy? -- Many forms of therapy focus primarily on insight — understanding why you feel the way you do. DBT adds a skills component: concrete, teachable techniques for handling difficult moments. The goal isn't just to understand your emotions but to be able to do something different with them in real time. This makes DBT particularly useful for people who feel like they understand their patterns but can't seem to change them.
Do I have to attend a DBT skills group? -- Standard DBT includes both individual therapy and a skills training group. At Flatland Counseling, we deliver DBT skills within individual therapy sessions, which works well for many clients. If a full DBT program with a group component would be beneficial, we can discuss the best fit for your situation.
Is DBT helpful for teenagers? -- Yes. DBT has been extensively adapted for adolescents (DBT-A) and is one of the most effective treatments for teen self-harm, suicidality, and emotional dysregulation. The skills are developmentally adapted and the family is often involved in teen DBT work.
How long does DBT treatment take? -- Standard DBT is typically a year-long program. However, many clients benefit significantly from a shorter course of DBT-informed therapy — 3–6 months of skills-focused work. Your therapist will discuss realistic expectations based on your situation and goals.
Is DBT available via telehealth? -- Yes. DBT skills work very well via telehealth — the skills themselves are practical tools meant for everyday life, and learning them in your home environment can actually be an advantage. We offer telehealth to clients anywhere in Texas.
Can DBT help with self-harm? -- Yes — and it was specifically designed for this. DBT is one of the most effective treatments for chronic self-harm and suicidal behavior. It doesn't shame or avoid these topics; it directly addresses the emotional pain driving the behavior and builds alternative skills for coping with intense distress.
Is DBT effective for eating disorders? -- Yes. DBT is one of the strongest evidence-based treatments for binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa, where emotional dysregulation is often a key driver of eating behaviors. The emotion regulation and distress tolerance modules are particularly relevant.
How do I get started? You can reach out through our contact page or click the Get Started button to request an appointment. Taking that first step is often the hardest part — I'm glad you're here.
CONDITIONS WE TREAT
Issues We Help With Using DBT
DBT is used at Flatland Counseling for a wide range of concerns where emotional intensity, impulsivity, or distress tolerance are central.