While my approach to therapy tends to be fluid, relational, and attuned to each person’s emotional rhythms, I also believe that concrete, specific skills can be essential — especially in the early stages of healing. Sometimes what we need first isn’t to dive into the depths, but to learn how to stay afloat.

That’s where Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) comes in.

Rooted in both Eastern mindfulness and Western behavioral science, DBT is a research-backed framework that offers clear, teachable tools to help people navigate intense emotions and build more stable, fulfilling lives. I often draw from DBT when clients are struggling to regulate their emotions, communicate their needs, or manage patterns that feel overwhelming.

The core skills of DBT are organized into four areas:

• Mindfulness: learning to stay present, without judgment
  
• Distress Tolerance: surviving emotional storms without making things worse
  
• Emotion Regulation: understanding and working with your emotions, not against them
  
• Interpersonal Effectiveness: communicating clearly and maintaining boundaries while preserving relationships
  

These skills aren’t a cure-all, but they can be a lifeline—especially when you're just starting to find your footing. In our work together, we may weave these tools into a more spacious, intuitive process, helping you not only cope, but eventually reconnect with your own inner compass.