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Heights Treatment

DBT Therapy in Houston

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based, skills-focused approach used in dual diagnosis treatment to reduce relapse risk, stabilize mood, and build emotional regulation, especially when anxiety, trauma, or impulsive behaviors escalate quickly.

Not sure which level of care fits? We will recommend the right next step after a confidential consultation.

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What Is DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)?

DBT is a structured, evidence-based therapy that helps people change high-risk patterns while also building self-acceptance and stability. In simple terms, DBT teaches skills to manage emotions, tolerate distress, improve relationships, and stay present, especially when cravings, anxiety, or impulsive urges spike.

At The Heights Treatment, DBT skills are integrated into dual diagnosis care for addiction recovery, anxiety, depression, trauma-related symptoms, and behavioral addictions. Skills are reinforced in individual therapy, clinician-led groups, and between-session structure across PHP, IOP, and OP.

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How DBT Helps

DBT strengthens recovery by improving what happens in the moment symptoms escalate, when cravings surge, anxiety spikes, conflict intensifies, or urges feel urgent.

Instead of white-knuckling, you learn a repeatable skill set for stability.

Cravings and Relapse Prevention:

Identify triggers earlier, reduce impulsive “autopilot,” and use distress tolerance skills before escalation.

Emotional Regulation:

Reduce emotional reactivity, stabilize mood swings, and improve follow-through on healthy routines.

Anxiety and Panic:

Build tolerance for uncertainty, decrease avoidance, and respond to fear without reinforcing it.

Depression and Shutdown:

Interrupt hopelessness cycles and rebuild structure using values-based action and coaching.

Relationships and Conflict:

Improve communication, boundaries, and interpersonal effectiveness, key risk factors for relapse.

Who Is DBT Therapy For?

DBT can support many clinical goals, especially when emotions, cravings, or impulsive behaviors feel hard to control. Your team will tailor DBT skills based on your symptoms, level of care, and what keeps the pattern active.

Addiction Recovery (Dual Diagnosis)

Supports cravings, relapse prevention, impulse control, and coping under stress across PHP, IOP, and OP.

Emotional Dysregulation + Anxiety

Builds emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and response control so symptoms are less disruptive in daily life.

Trauma + Relationship Patterns

Supports grounding, interpersonal effectiveness, boundaries, and safer coping when you feel triggered or overwhelmed.

What to Expect

DBT in treatment is practical and structured. You will learn repeatable skills you can use at work, at home, and in relationships, especially when urges, conflict, or stress rise fast.

In Sessions

  • skills coaching and real-life application
  • mindfulness and “wise mind” decision-making
  • emotion regulation and distress tolerance tools
  • interpersonal effectiveness (conflict, boundaries, communication)

Between Sessions

  • simple daily practice plan
  • tracking triggers, urges, and high-risk moments
  • skills for sleep, stress response, and cravings
  • accountability for follow-through across your level of care

How We Integrate DBT at Heights

DBT works best when it is coordinated with your overall plan, not used as a standalone tool. Your primary therapist and clinical team align DBT skills with your diagnosis, relapse risk, relationships, and current level of care.

  • Individual therapy: apply DBT to your triggers, relationships, and relapse prevention plan.
  • Clinician-led groups: structured skills training, coaching, and accountability (not just “processing”).
  • Dual diagnosis focus: DBT supports both mental health symptoms and substance use patterns.
  • Step-down continuity: skills remain consistent as you move from IIP/PHP into IOP and OP.

DBT is often paired with evidence-based and experiential therapies to improve skill use in daily life.

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Call us for a private consultation. We will listen, answer your questions, and recommend the right next step, including the appropriate level of care and timing.

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DBT Therapy FAQ

Common questions about DBT therapy in outpatient dual diagnosis treatment.

Is DBT evidence-based?

Yes. DBT is widely recognized as an evidence-based treatment. In structured care, we use DBT as skills training integrated with your primary treatment plan, diagnosis, and level of care.

How is DBT different from CBT?

Both are evidence-informed. CBT focuses on the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. DBT adds a strong skills component around acceptance + change, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness, often helpful when emotions feel intense or behavior feels impulsive.

Can DBT help with addiction and relapse prevention?

Yes. DBT can reduce relapse risk by strengthening distress tolerance, impulse control, and coping under stress. We pair DBT skills with relapse prevention planning and treatment structure across PHP, IOP, or OP.

What are examples of DBT skills?

Examples include mindfulness skills, urge management, crisis survival tools (distress tolerance), emotion regulation strategies, and interpersonal effectiveness skills for boundaries and conflict.

Is DBT safe if I have trauma symptoms?

It can be, but it must be tailored. If you have trauma-related symptoms, we prioritize grounding and stabilization, then adjust DBT practices based on what helps you stay present and regulated.

Which program includes DBT at Heights?

DBT skills can be included across IIP, PHP, IOP, and OP depending on your needs and treatment plan.

What if I’m in crisis right now?

If you are in immediate danger or at risk of harming yourself or someone else, call 911. If you are not in immediate danger but need urgent support, contact a crisis hotline in your area. We can also help you coordinate the right next step through a confidential consultation.

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Sources

This page is for education and does not replace medical advice. If you are in crisis or at immediate risk, call 911.

  1. Linehan MM. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): skills training principles and clinical applications.
  2. Peer-reviewed clinical research on DBT for emotion regulation, self-harm behaviors, and co-occurring substance use.
  3. Clinical best practices for integrating DBT skills into outpatient dual diagnosis treatment planning (PHP/IOP/OP).