Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Recovery isn't always easy. There will be times when anxiety feels intense, emotions run high, or it seems like every part of you wants to go back to old patterns. That's completely normal. While we don't want anxiety making your decisions, we also don't expect you to simply "push through" without support.

That's one of the reasons we sometimes incorporate skills from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) into treatment.

How We Use Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills

DBT is an evidence-based therapy that teaches practical skills for navigating intense emotions, tolerating distress, and responding more effectively during difficult moments. At West Suburbs OCD and Mental Health, we don't offer comprehensive DBT. Instead, we thoughtfully incorporate specific DBT skills when they can support the work you're already doing through CBT, ERP, and ACT.

Using DBT Skills During Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

For example, if you're feeling overwhelmed before an exposure or you're having a particularly difficult day, certain DBT skills can help you slow down, reconnect with the present moment, and respond intentionally rather than automatically. The goal isn't to make anxiety disappear or help you escape uncomfortable emotions. It's to help you stay grounded enough to continue doing the work that moves you toward the life you want to live.

An Individualized Approach to DBT Skills

Like everything we do, these skills are never one-size-fits-all. At West Suburbs OCD and Mental Health, every treatment plan is individualized. If DBT skills can help support your recovery, we'll incorporate them in ways that complement your treatment while keeping your goals at the center of our work.