DBT-Informed Therapy In Utah
Practical, trauma-informed therapy for adults with emotional overwhelm, relationship triggers, fear of abandonment, shame spirals, and intense emotional reactions.
DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)-informed therapy can help you build skills for managing big emotions, tolerating distress, communicating more clearly, and responding to hard moments with more steadiness and choice.
Online DBT-Informed therapy for adults throughout Utah with Caitlin Moore, CMHC
When Emotions Hit Hard and Fast
Sometimes a small moment can set off a much bigger reaction. Someone’s tone changes, a conflict starts, you feel criticized or rejected, or something doesn’t go the way you expected. Suddenly you’re flooded with anger, panic, shame, or sadness, and it can be hard to think clearly.
You may find yourself:
going from okay to overwhelmed very quickly
shutting down, spiraling, or reacting in ways you later regret
taking a long time to recover after conflict or criticism
worrying that someone is upset with you, pulling away, or going to leave
needing reassurance to feel okay in a relationship
people-pleasing or struggling to set boundaries because disappointing someone feels so uncomfortable
feeling responsible for other people’s emotions
falling into shame or self-criticism after an emotional reaction
knowing how you want to respond and struggling to access those skills in the moment
DBT-informed therapy can help you understand these patterns, slow things down when emotions take over, and build practical skills for responding with more steadiness and choice.
How DBT-Informed Therapy Can Help
DBT-informed therapy can help you build practical skills for handling intense emotions and difficult relationship moments without feeling completely controlled by them.
Over time, you may notice:
more ability to pause before reacting when emotions spike
recovering more quickly after conflict, criticism, or disappointment
less spiraling, shutting down, or needing immediate reassurance
greater confidence setting boundaries and asking for what you need
more ability to tolerate uncomfortable emotions without needing to escape or fix them right away
communicating more clearly when you’re angry, hurt, or afraid
feeling steadier in relationships even when someone else is upset, distant, or disappointed
being able to use coping skills when you actually need them, rather than remembering them afterward
DBT skills generally fall into four areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. In therapy, we’ll focus on the skills that are most relevant to the situations you’re actually struggling with and practice applying them to your everyday life.
“For the first time, I feel like I can do something about my emotions instead of them just running my life. It took a lot of hard work, but DBT skills are truly life-changing.”
My Approach To DBT-Informed Therapy
At Soul Perch Counseling, DBT skills are integrated into individual, trauma-informed therapy based on what you are struggling with and what you want to change. Sessions are practical and collaborative, with a focus on applying skills to the situations that are actually coming up in your life.
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We’ll look at what tends to happen before, during, and after moments of overwhelm, shutdown, conflict, shame, or impulsive reactions. Understanding the pattern can make it easier to recognize what you need in the moment.
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We’ll choose DBT skills that are relevant to what you are experiencing, including emotion regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness. The focus is on finding tools you can realistically use when emotions are intense.
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We’ll apply those skills to real situations in your relationships and everyday life. This may include slowing down before reacting, tolerating uncertainty or distress, communicating more clearly, setting boundaries, or recovering more quickly after conflict.
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For some clients, DBT skills provide a foundation for deeper trauma therapy or EMDR. Depending on your needs, therapy may also incorporate IFS-informed work or anxiety treatment to address the experiences and patterns contributing to emotional overwhelm.
What Does “DBT-Informed” Mean? Soul Perch Counseling provides individual therapy that incorporates DBT principles and skills within a broader trauma-informed approach. It is not a comprehensive DBT program and does not include a DBT skills group or between-session phone coaching.
Extended Sessions: Extended sessions of up to 80 minutes are available for clients who want additional time for deeper therapeutic work.
Online DBT-Informed Therapy Throughout Utah
At Soul Perch Counseling, all sessions are conducted online through HIPAA-compliant telehealth. You can access DBT-informed therapy from anywhere in Utah, including Salt Lake City, Provo, St. George, Ogden, Logan, Park City, and surrounding communities.
Telehealth works well for DBT-informed therapy because you can practice skills in the same environment where difficult emotions and relationship stressors arise. All you need is a private space and a reliable internet connection.
Common Questions About DBT-Informed Therapy
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No. Soul Perch Counseling offers individual therapy that integrates DBT skills into trauma-informed care. Comprehensive DBT typically includes individual therapy, skills group, between-session coaching, and a therapist consultation team. Soul Perch Counseling does not offer DBT skills group or between-session phone coaching at this time.
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No. Many people benefit from DBT-informed therapy because they struggle with emotional overwhelm, relationship triggers, shame spirals, fear of abandonment, people-pleasing, anger, shutdown, or difficulty calming down after conflict.
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No. DBT is often associated with borderline personality disorder treatment, but DBT skills can also help many people who struggle with intense emotions, distress tolerance, relationship stress, trauma responses, and impulsive coping patterns.
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DBT skills can help with stabilization, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and relationship skills. For some clients, this makes deeper trauma work feel safer and more manageable. For others, DBT skills are woven throughout therapy as ongoing support.
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A history of self-harm or suicidal thoughts does not automatically mean therapy at Soul Perch Counseling is the wrong fit. DBT-informed therapy can be a helpful fit for people who experience urges to self-harm, struggle with wanting to live, or want more effective ways to cope with distress.
If you have had a recent suicide attempt, have active suicidal intent, or need more intensive support, a comprehensive DBT program or higher level of care may be the safest option.
If you have questions about whether Soul Perch Counseling or a higher level of care is the right fit for your situation, you are welcome to reach out or schedule a free consultation.
Ready to Feel Steadier in Hard Moments?
If intense emotions, relationship triggers, or shame spirals are taking up more space in your life than you want, DBT-informed therapy may be able to help. A free 15-minute consultation gives you a chance to ask questions, share what’s been going on, and see whether working together feels like a good fit.