Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a well-established therapeutic approach aimed at aiding individuals in managing emotional instability, impulsiveness and harmful behaviors.  Initially developed for individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), DBT has also proven beneficial for individuals dealing with depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.

What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?

At the core of DBT is the dynamic balance between opposing therapeutic goals: acceptance of oneself and one’s situation in life, on the one hand, and embracing change toward a better life, on the other.  DBT enables patients to reconcile and synthesize these seemingly divergent forces.  This is the heart of what DBT and “dialectics” mean: the balance and synthesis of opposites. This focus on pursuing change strategies balanced with acceptance strategies is unique to DBT.

DBT is more a behavioral treatment program, less an individual therapeutic  approach.  It is a combination of individual sessions, group skills training, telephone coaching, work with a consultation team, all leading to an opportunity to change a client’s core social experience. 

In 2020, I collaborated with fellow DBT-trained psychologists to establish the LA DBT Collective. Our organization is dedicated to supporting each other in delivering DBT to adolescents and adults within the private practice setting. Our team comprises highly trained and experienced psychologists who are committed to providing top-tier, personalized evidence-based care. 

Besides individual therapy, the LA DBT Collective also conducts DBT skills groups.  These groups offer additional guidance and support for mastering and applying skills learned in individual sessions. They also provide a platform for individuals to connect with others striving to strengthen their emotional regulation and interpersonal skills.

Skills Training is Central to the Effectiveness of DBT

Skills enable clients to find how to not just make their lives bearable but to actually thrive.

Core DBT Skills

  • Mindfulness: Learning to be present and fully aware, without judgment

  • Distress Tolerance: Skills to manage and survive crisis situations without making things worse

  • Emotion Regulation: Understanding and managing emotional responses

  • Interpersonal Effectiveness: Assertiveness, listening and relationship-building skills

Seeking support is an effective skill.

Dr. Kerwin is a Dialectical Behavior Therapy Specialist

Dr. Kerwin provides Dialectical Behavior Therapy in West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Brentwood, Westwood, Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles County, and all of California. Contact Dr. Kerwin if you have any questions about DBT or wish to get started.