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Repose

DBT skills

DBT-informed therapy for strong emotions

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills can help when emotions feel big, fast, or hard to steady. We teach them within individual therapy.

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Overview

What DBT-informed therapy is

DBT was developed to help people build a life that feels worth living, even with intense emotions. It balances acceptance and change. DBT-informed therapy draws on its four skill areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and relationship skills.

At Repose, these skills are taught in individual sessions and paired with body awareness, so they are easier to use in hard moments.

What we help with

When emotions feel like too much

DBT skills can support people who feel overwhelmed by emotion, act on urges they later regret, or struggle in close relationships. They can also help with self-criticism and with getting through painful moments without making things harder.

If you are in crisis, please call or text 988. Repose provides outpatient therapy and is not an emergency service.

Common concerns

  • Emotion regulation
  • Relationships
  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Self-criticism
  • Impulsivity
  • Family conflict
A reflective moment in therapy at Repose

Who this is for

For people who want concrete skills for hard moments

DBT-informed therapy can be a fit for teens, young adults, and adults who want practical skills for emotions and relationships. It is also used alongside family work, so caregivers can learn the same language and support new habits at home.

Available in person and online.

Learn more
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Acceptance and change

You are doing the best you can, and you can learn new ways.

Both can be true. DBT helps you hold them together.

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How we work

The four DBT skill areas

Mindfulness

Noticing the present moment without judging it.

Distress tolerance

Getting through intense moments without making them worse.

Emotion regulation and relationships

Understanding feelings and asking for what you need.

Your role

Skills grow with practice

  • Practice often

    Skills work best when practiced on calm days, too.

  • Track what helps

    Noticing which skills work for you guides next steps.

  • Be patient with yourself

    Learning new responses takes time. That is expected.

A person steadying themselves with a hand on the chest

What to expect

  1. Step 1

    Preparation

    A consultation, then shared goals and an understanding of your patterns.

  2. Step 2

    Process

    Learning one skill at a time and trying it in real life.

  3. Step 3

    Integration

    Reaching for skills more naturally when emotions rise.

  4. Step 4

    Ongoing

    Refining skills and working on deeper themes together.

Questions people ask

Questions about DBT at Repose

Is this a full DBT program?
Repose offers DBT-informed individual therapy and DBT skills. If a comprehensive DBT program would serve you better, our Client Care Team can share referrals.
Is DBT only for certain diagnoses?
No. DBT was first developed for people with intense emotions and self-harm urges, but its skills are now used for many concerns, including stress, anxiety, and relationship struggles.
Can parents learn DBT skills too?
Yes. When working with teens and families, therapists often teach caregivers the same skills.
What if I am in crisis?
Call or text 988, or call 911 in an emergency. Repose is an outpatient practice and does not provide crisis services.

Begin

We're here when you're ready.

A free consultation can help you find the right fit.

Schedule a consultation

Union Square · Pleasantville · Online in NY, NJ & CT