WiseMind Counseling
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
in Denver, CO
Rachel Cohen of WiseMind Counseling is a licensed DBT therapist in Denver, Colorado.
Build a Life Worth Living Through Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
What is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy?
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a type of therapy that was developed by psychologist Marsha Linehan in the late 1980s. It combines elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness practices to help individuals manage emotions, improve relationships, and develop coping skills for dealing with difficult situations.
DBT helps increase resilience to difficult emotions and teaches skills to replace unfavorable behaviors by learning how to accept and change. Through DBT, a patient will learn how to participate with awareness instead of reaction, which will lead to a life worth living.
Identify What Brings You Joy
Many patients come to therapy because they are feeling unmotivated, empty, or confused about who they are. It is often difficult to identify what makes us happy or joyful when we are feeling low, so we often feel defeated. It is important to give yourself space to learn about the things that bring you joy. This could look like hobbies, such as reading, cooking, or art. This could also look like other interests, such as physical activity or spending time with others.
Identify Struggles
In order for an individual to create a life worth living, they will also need to identify their areas of struggles. Emotional dysregulation or the inability to regulate difficult emotions is a common struggle that individuals face. On top of that, the environment that we live in can also affect how we learn to manage our emotions in difficult situations.
Identify What Brings You Joy
Many patients come to therapy because they are feeling unmotivated, empty, or confused about who they are. It is often difficult to identify what makes us happy or joyful when we are feeling low, so we often feel defeated. It is important to give yourself space to learn about the things that bring you joy. This could look like hobbies, such as reading, cooking, or art. This could also look like other interests, such as physical activity or spending time with others.
Identify Struggles
In order for an individual to create a life worth living, they will also need to identify their areas of struggles. Emotional dysregulation or the inability to regulate difficult emotions is a common struggle that individuals face. On top of that, the environment that we live in can also affect how we learn to manage our emotions in difficult situations.
Identify Goals for Inside and Outside Therapy
It is important to be aware of areas to improve on during our time in therapy, as well as for outside of therapy. Goal setting is a crucial and beneficial part to building a life worth living because it allows us to view the life we want for ourselves. Through DBT, individuals will focus on setting goals around living in the moment, understanding and regulating emotions, developing coping skills for stress, and improving relationships with ourselves and others.
“We can’t change if we don’t accept that there needs to be a change.”
If you’re ready to get started with DBT in Denver, please feel free to reach out for an appointment.
Understanding More About DBT Therapy
DBT Therapy Teaches You New Skills
What makes DBT different is its focus on both acceptance and change. That means clients are encouraged to acknowledge where they are emotionally, while also learning tools to shift harmful patterns. It’s a therapy that values progress over perfection and gives people the skills to get through tough moments without falling apart.
How Does DBT Actually Work?
DBT usually includes individual therapy, group sessions where clients learn specific skills, and between-session coaching when needed. The therapy is built around four main areas: mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Mindfulness helps people stay grounded instead of spiraling into anxious thoughts. Emotional regulation teaches how to name and manage big feelings before they take over. Distress tolerance is all about getting through a crisis without making things worse. And interpersonal effectiveness focuses on improving how we communicate, set boundaries, and maintain relationships.
This combination gives clients practical tools they can use every day—not just when they’re in for a session.
What Makes DBT So Effective?
Many clients find DBT effective because it goes beyond just talking about what’s wrong. It gives you a toolkit. Clients walk away with real strategies they can use in their daily lives, which is empowering—especially for those who have felt stuck in other types of therapy.
DBT also emphasizes consistency and accountability. It’s not about quick fixes, but about developing habits that lead to long-term emotional resilience. With regular practice and a supportive therapist, change becomes possible.
Who Should Consider DBT?
DBT can be a good fit for anyone who struggles with overwhelming emotions, impulsive decisions, or frequent relationship conflict. It’s often recommended for teens and adults who deal with emotional ups and downs, self-harm, or intense anxiety.
It’s especially helpful for people who’ve tried therapy before but didn’t feel like they were getting the tools they needed. DBT provides structure, direction, and support—without judgment.
Why Choose DBT Over Other Options?
If you’ve ever walked out of a therapy session feeling heard but not sure what to do next, DBT might be a good fit. It’s more than conversation, it’s skills training. You’re not just reflecting; you’re actively learning how to handle life differently. For many people, that’s the piece that finally makes things click.
Contact WiseMind Counseling