DBT Consultation: Mastering the Moment-to-Moment in DBT Sessions

Providing adherent Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) requires more than knowing the skills; it requires knowing how to do the “dance” with your client. DBT is not a script, it is a dynamic, moment-to-moment interaction grounded in behavioral principles, dialectics, and validation.

When clinicians learn to move fluidly in session, balancing acceptance and change, tracking targets, responding strategically rather than reactively, the underlying structure of the treatment can fully do its work. It is in that dance that DBT becomes effective, and clinicians are able to navigate complex clinical moments with clarity and confidence.

In DBT consultation, I work collaboratively with clinicians to strengthen their practice and deepen their adherence to the model. Our work is active and experiential. Through structured role plays, in-depth case conceptualization, and solution analysis, we examine challenging clinical situations and identify clear, behaviorally specific interventions that align with DBT principles.

Consultation is designed to help clinicians:

-Clarify case formulation and treatment targets

-Strengthen application of DBT strategies in-session

-Increase confidence with high-risk or complex presentations

-Improve use of validation, dialectics, and behavioral analysis

-Reduce therapist burnout and increase effectiveness

Whether you are seeking DBT-Linehan Board of Certification, building a DBT program, or wanting to refine your clinical precision, consultation provides a structured space to sharpen skills, receive feedback, and grow in confidence, particularly with difficult or high-acuity cases.

My approach is grounded in fidelity to the model while honoring the therapist’s unique style and professional development.

**Consultation is not supervision

If you are interested in learning more about clinical consultation or exploring whether it is a good fit for your practice, please visit the Contact Us page to begin the conversation.