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Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Trauma can leave you feeling stuck—overwhelmed by emotions one moment, numb the next. DBT is different from talk therapy alone. It's about learning concrete skills you can use right now, in your daily life, to feel more in control.

What You'll Actually Do

DBT isn't just about understanding what happened to you. It's about building new ways of responding when things feel hard. You'll learn practical skills in four areas: how to stay grounded when you're anxious or triggered, how to get through crisis moments without making things worse, how to manage intense emotions before they take over, and how to navigate relationships with more confidence.

The real power is in the practice. You'll use these skills in real situations—with people, at work, when you're alone—and track what's actually working for you. We'll pay attention to your progress together. As you practice, you'll start noticing changes: maybe you sleep better, react less quickly, handle conflict differently, or feel less trapped by old patterns.

Supported Every Step

You won't just learn these skills in a weekly session and figure out the rest on your own. You'll have individual support tailored to your specific needs. And you'll have real accountability—not judgment, but genuine partnership in noticing what's changing. To support learning and integrating skills, coaching calls are available between appointments. 

When appropriate, we integrate EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) into your treatment. This complements the skill-building work by helping process traumatic memories directly, creating a more complete healing approach tailored to your unique needs.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Traumatic memories can feel stuck in your mind and body—vivid, intrusive, and overwhelming. You might replay moments you wish you could forget, or feel triggered by things that remind you of what happened. EMDR is a different kind of healing. It helps your brain process these memories so they lose their grip on you.

How It Works

EMDR isn't talk therapy about your trauma. Instead, you'll focus on the difficult memory while following bilateral stimulation—usually eye movements and sounds. This might sound unusual, but it helps your brain naturally process what's been stuck. As this happens, the memory shifts. It doesn't disappear, but it feels less raw, less urgent, less like it's happening right now.

Over time, you'll notice real changes. Memories that used to trigger intense fear or shame become something you can think about without being flooded. The sounds, images, or sensations that used to hijack your day lose their power. You start reclaiming your sense of safety.

A Complete Approach

EMDR works powerfully on its own, and it also pairs beautifully with skills-based work like DBT. Whether EMDR is your primary focus or part of a broader healing plan, we'll tailor the approach to what your nervous system needs. You're not just processing the past—you're building a future where trauma no longer runs your life.