Dialectical Behavior Therapy • Scottsdale, AZ • Emotion regulation therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) in Scottsdale, AZ
If your emotions feel overwhelming, unpredictable, or out of control, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) provides structured tools to help you regain balance. DBT is a skills-based therapy designed to help individuals regulate emotions, tolerate distress, and build healthier relationships.
What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy is an evidence-based approach created by psychologist Marsha Linehan in the late 1980s. Originally developed to treat borderline personality disorder, DBT has proven highly effective for many emotional and behavioral challenges.
What “dialectical” means
The word “dialectical” refers to balancing two ideas at the same time: accepting yourself as you are while also working toward positive change. DBT integrates both acceptance and growth throughout the therapy process.
Who can benefit from DBT?
DBT is especially helpful for people who feel overwhelmed by their emotions, struggle with impulsive behaviors, or experience recurring conflict in relationships. It provides structured skills to navigate everyday challenges more effectively.
Common challenges DBT helps with
- Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
- Emotional dysregulation
- Chronic anxiety or depression
- Suicidal thoughts or self-harm
- Substance use challenges
- Eating disorders
- Trauma and PTSD
- Relationship difficulties
The four core DBT skills
DBT focuses on four foundational skill sets that help individuals navigate emotional challenges, manage distress, and build healthier relationships.
Mindfulness
Learning to stay present and observe thoughts without judgment.
Distress tolerance
Developing strategies to survive emotional crises without destructive behaviors.
Emotion regulation
Understanding and influencing emotional responses in healthier ways.
Interpersonal effectiveness
Building stronger relationships through assertive communication and healthy boundaries.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the foundation of DBT skills. It teaches you to stay present, observe your thoughts without judgment, and respond to situations thoughtfully rather than react emotionally.
Distress tolerance
Distress tolerance skills help you survive emotional crises without making situations worse. These techniques help individuals ride out emotional storms safely.
- Crisis survival techniques
- Grounding exercises
- Radical acceptance
- Self-soothing strategies
Emotion regulation
Emotion regulation skills help individuals understand and influence emotional reactions. Instead of feeling controlled by emotions, clients learn to navigate emotional experiences with confidence.
- Identifying and labeling emotions
- Understanding emotional triggers
- Reducing vulnerability to emotional overwhelm
- Increasing positive emotional experiences
Interpersonal effectiveness
Interpersonal effectiveness skills help clients build healthier relationships and communicate more clearly. These tools focus on balancing self-respect with maintaining connections with others.
- Setting boundaries
- Assertive communication
- Conflict resolution
- Maintaining
Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Right for You?
📞 “Find Balance. Reconnect with Yourself.”
Start your journey toward emotional clarity and healthier relationships.
whether you’re struggling with intense emotions, relationship challenges, or feeling overwhelmed by daily life, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) can give you the tools to regain control and start moving forward.
At Pathways Counseling Services in Scottsdale, Arizona, our licensed DBT- trained therapists offer a supportive, structure approach to emotional healing and long term growth. We’re here to meet you exactly where you are-with empathy, expertise, and a belief in your ability to change.
Take the First Step Today
In-person or telehealth sessions available across Arizona
Flexible scheduling for busy lives
Call 480-639-5559
You don’t have to do it alone. DBT can help you feel more in control, more connected, and more you.
Contact us for your DBT session!
Our Therapists
Meet Sofia Softas-Nall therapist Scottsdale AZ - Trauma, LGBTQIA Therapist
Read MoreSofia Softas-Nall, MS, MA, LPC, NCC
Therapist
Meet David Merrick, MS Ed. LPC-S - Teens and Adult Therapist
Read MoreDavid Merrick, MS Ed. LPC-S
Clinical Director
Meet Allison Zimmer, MS, LAC - Anxiety and Substance Therapist
Read MoreAllison Zimmer, MS, LAC
Therapist
Meet Haley Anderson, MSW, LMSW - Child and Teen Therapist
Read MoreHaley Anderson, MSW, LMSW
Therapist
Meet Stephanie Levitt, MA, LPC, NCC - EMDR Therapist
Read MoreStephanie Levitt, MA, LPC, NCC
Therapist
Meet Alyssa Dowdell: A Behavioral Health Technician Focused on Growth and Healing
Read MoreAlyssa Dowdell
Behavioral Health Technician
Meet Stephanie Levitt, MA, LPC, NCC the Founder our Pathways Counseling Services
Stephanie Levitt, MA, LPC, NCC is a licensed professional counselor in Scottsdale, Arizona, with over 20 years of experience supporting individuals through anxiety, trauma, PTSD, and fear-based challenges. She is trained in a variety of evidence-based approaches, including exposure therapy, SBT and EMDR.
Stephanie believes in walking beside her clients with empathy, clarity, and clinical skill-offering a personalized approach to every individual. Her mission is to help you regain your confidence, reduce avoidance, and feel empowered again.
Outside the therapy room, Stephanie has been featured on. podcasts, radio shows, and panel discussions, where she speaks about trauma recover,, woman’s mental health, and practical therapy techniques.
Contact us today for your DBT session!
Frequently asked questions
What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?
DBT is an evidence based therapy that helps people manage intense emotions, develop healthier coping skills, and improve relatiohships. It combines acceptance strategies with change strategies to support long term emotional and behavioral growth.,
Who is DBT therapy suited for?
DBT is especially helpful for individuals struggling with mood swings, anxiety, borderline personality disorder (BDP), self-harm trauma or unstable relationships. You don’t need a specific diagnosis to benefit from DBT just a desire to build emotional control and stronger coping tools.
How is DBT different from regular talk therapy?
Unlike traditional therapy, DBT is structured, skills-based and focused on practical tools. It helps clients build specific skills in mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
How long does DBT take to wor?
Many people begin noticing improvements within the fist few months of DBT, especialy when they consistently practice the skills outside of session . A full DBT program may oast 6-12 months or more depending on your needs and goals.
Do you offer DBT for teens or young adults?
Yes! At Pathways Counseling Services in Scottsdale, we offer DBT informed therapy for teens, young adults, and adults. Each plan is tailored to your age, development, and personal needs.
