DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) in Charlotte
DBT is a structured, evidence-based treatment developed for people who experience emotions intensely — and who find that intensity getting in the way of relationships, stability, or safety. It combines practical skill-building with an accepting, non-judgmental approach to where you are right now. The “dialectical” part captures the core premise: you can accept yourself as you are and work toward change at the same time.
Caladrius offers the full DBT program — individual therapy, weekly skills group, and between-session coaching — led by a clinician who is DBT-Linehan Board Certified. We also offer standalone skills modules for adults and teens who aren't ready for, or don't need, the full program.
Who DBT helps
DBT was developed to treat patterns of self-harm and suicidality, and remains the most rigorously studied treatment for those concerns. It's now used across a broader range of presentations:
- Intense, rapidly shifting, or hard-to-manage emotions
- Impulsive behavior and difficulty slowing down reactions
- Self-harm or suicidal thoughts
- Unstable relationships and fear of abandonment
- Chronic feelings of emptiness or numbness
- Eating disorders
- Substance use and addiction
- Trauma and complex PTSD
- Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
What the program looks like
The full DBT program at Caladrius runs six months to a year and has three components:
Individual therapy (weekly, 50–60 min) is where you and your therapist work through what's happening in your life right now. You'll use a diary card to track emotional patterns and skills use between sessions, and therapy time is focused on problem-solving the situations where things broke down. The relationship with your therapist isn't incidental — it's a core part of how DBT works.
Skills group (weekly, 90 min) teaches the four DBT skill areas in a structured curriculum: Mindfulness (staying grounded in the present moment), Distress Tolerance (getting through a crisis without making things worse), Emotion Regulation (understanding and shifting emotional reactions), and Interpersonal Effectiveness (navigating relationships and conflict more skillfully). Group is structured like a class — the focus is on learning and practicing the skills together, not on sharing personal history.
Coaching calls are brief phone or email check-ins available between sessions. When a difficult situation comes up before you're able to use a skill on your own, you can reach out for real-time support.
The evidence base
DBT has been studied in more clinical trials than almost any other psychological treatment. Multiple large randomized controlled trials have shown it consistently reduces suicidal behavior and self-harm better than standard care — including general psychotherapy and other active treatments. The evidence for DBT in eating disorders, substance use, and emotional dysregulation is also strong.
Our DBT program is led by a clinician who is DBT-Linehan Board Certified — a designation that requires demonstrated adherence to the full treatment model, supervised clinical hours, and an examination. It isn't enough to have attended a DBT training or to use DBT skills in your practice.
Getting started
To begin, choose the option that applies to you. We'll follow up within one to two business days.