Do I Need DBT? 7 Signs DBT Might Be a Good Fit
When new clients call Awake DBT, many of them say the same thing: “I don’t even really know what DBT is… I just know something isn’t working.”
Recently, a new client came in telling me she had only heard the letters “DBT” from a friend. She didn’t know what it stood for. She didn’t know what skills were. She just knew:
She was exhausted from her emotions.
She kept reacting in ways she regretted.
She felt stuck in the same relationship patterns.
Traditional talk therapy hadn’t changed much.
If that sounds familiar, this post is for you.
Let’s talk about 7 signs DBT might be a good fit.
First, What Is DBT?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a skills-based therapy developed by Marsha Linehan to help people who experience intense emotions and struggle with impulsive or self-defeating behaviors.
DBT focuses on four main areas:
Emotional regulation
Distress tolerance
Interpersonal effectiveness
Mindfulness
It’s practical. It’s structured. And it teaches you exactly what to do when emotions feel overwhelming.
Now let’s get into the signs…
1. You Feel Emotionally Overwhelmed More Often Than Not
You might say things like:
“I feel too much.”
“My emotions go from 0 to 100.”
“Once I’m upset, I can’t calm down.”
The client I mentioned told me, “It’s not that I want to react like this… I just can’t stop once it starts.”
That’s a nervous system problem — not a character flaw. DBT gives you tools to regulate before the spiral takes over.
2. You Regret How You React in Relationships
Maybe you:
Over-apologize
Blow up
Shut down
Avoid hard conversations
Say yes when you mean no
Then later think, “Why did I do that again?”
DBT directly teaches boundary-setting, assertiveness, and how to keep your self-respect in conflict.
3. You’ve Tried Therapy Before… But Still Feel Stuck
Many of my clients are thoughtful and insightful. They understand why they do things.
But insight alone hasn’t changed the behavior. DBT adds something different:
Concrete skills you practice in real time. The client who only knew “DBT” as an acronym said after her first session:
“I’ve never had therapy where someone actually showed me what to do in the moment.”
That’s the difference.
4. You Struggle With Impulses or Self-Destructive Patterns
DBT was originally developed to help people with self-harm and suicidal behaviors, but it’s now widely used for:
Self-harm urges
Substance use
Binge eating
Explosive anger
Emotional shutdown
Chronic avoidance
If your emotions drive behaviors you later regret, DBT may be a strong fit.
5. You’re Highly Sensitive — and It Feels Like Too Much
You may have been told you’re:
“Too sensitive”
“Too emotional”
“Overreacting”
But in reality, your nervous system just responds more intensely.
DBT doesn’t pathologize that. It helps you work with your sensitivity instead of fighting it.
6. You Avoid Hard Things Because They Feel Overwhelming
Avoidance keeps anxiety alive.
You might avoid:
Conflict
Important conversations
Decisions
Setting boundaries
Sitting with uncomfortable emotions
DBT teaches distress tolerance — how to survive emotional intensity without making things worse.
7. You’re Motivated to Do the Work
DBT works best for people who are willing to:
Practice skills between sessions
Look honestly at patterns
Try new approaches
Tolerate some discomfort for long-term growth
The client who walked in knowing almost nothing about DBT?
What made her a great fit wasn’t knowledge — it was willingness.
She was tired of repeating the same cycles.
That’s usually the turning point.
Who DBT Is Especially Helpful For
DBT is often a strong fit if you struggle with:
Anxiety that feels out of control
Depression with emotional swings
Trauma-related triggers
Relationship instability
Emotional dysregulation
Chronic overwhelm
It’s also highly effective in both individual therapy and DBT skills groups.
So… Do You Need DBT?
You don’t need to walk in knowing what the acronym stands for.
You don’t need a specific diagnosis.
You don’t need to be in crisis.
You just need to recognize that:
Your emotions feel bigger than your coping tools.
You want real, practical strategies.
You’re ready to stop repeating patterns that hurt.
If that’s you, DBT might be exactly what you’ve been looking for.
Ready to Explore DBT at Awake DBT?
At Awake DBT, we offer:
Individual DBT-informed therapy
DBT skills groups
Structured, goal-focused treatment
If you’re wondering whether DBT is right for you, reach out. You don’t have to fully understand it to start.
Sometimes it begins just like that client’s first sentence:
“I don’t know much about DBT… I just know something needs to change.”
Located in CA and seeking treatment? Book a free call to find out more!