DBT for Adults

Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Adults

Standard DBT was developed for adults and remains one of the most extensively researched and effective treatments available for emotional dysregulation, chronic suicidality, and a wide range of behavioral and mood disorders. At the Katy DBT Center, we offer comprehensive, adherent DBT led by clinicians certified by the DBT-Linehan Board of Certification.

We also offer Radically Open DBT (RO-DBT) for adults who struggle not with too little control, but with too much - including those with OCPD, chronic depression, anorexia nervosa, and autism spectrum conditions where over-control is a primary feature.

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Standard DBT

Standard DBT is a comprehensive treatment for adults experiencing emotional and behavioral challenges that are causing significant suffering and interfering with a life worth living. It is the gold-standard treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder and has been adapted and proven effective for many other conditions.

Comprehensive DBT includes individual therapy (weekly, one hour), skills group (weekly, two hours), phone coaching (brief in-the-moment support between sessions), and therapist consultation team (ensuring your clinician delivers the highest quality care).

1

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the core skill underlying all of DBT. You will learn to observe your thoughts and feelings with curiosity rather than judgment, to participate fully in your life rather than standing apart from it, and to act effectively regardless of how you feel. These skills form the foundation for everything else you will learn in DBT.

2

Distress Tolerance

Life contains suffering that cannot be immediately resolved. Distress Tolerance skills help you survive crisis situations without making them worse, and to accept painful realities without being destroyed by them. Skills include crisis survival strategies like TIPP and ACCEPTS, and acceptance skills like radical acceptance and willingness.

3

Emotion Regulation

Understanding and managing your emotional life is at the heart of DBT. You will learn to identify and describe emotions, reduce your vulnerability to intense emotional reactions, increase positive emotional experiences, and change unwanted emotions using skills like opposite action and problem solving. These skills are practical and immediately applicable to daily life.

4

Interpersonal Effectiveness

Relationships are often both our greatest source of meaning and our greatest source of pain. Interpersonal Effectiveness skills help you communicate clearly, maintain self-respect, strengthen important relationships, and navigate conflict without damaging connections you value. Skills include DEAR MAN, GIVE, and FAST.

Radically Open DBT (RO-DBT)

RO-DBT is a separate treatment developed for disorders of over-control - conditions characterized by excessive self-control, inhibited emotional expression, social isolation, and rigid rule-governed behavior. Standard DBT targets under-controlled behavior; RO-DBT targets over-controlled behavior.

RO-DBT may be appropriate if you experience chronic depression that hasn't responded to other treatments, OCPD or obsessive-compulsive traits, anorexia nervosa, autism spectrum conditions where over-control is prominent, or a pattern of social isolation, perfectionism, and difficulty being flexible or playful.

Our D&D therapy groups are specifically designed as an adjunct to RO-DBT, providing a structured social context to practice openness, flexibility, and genuine connection.

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What to Expect

Treatment begins with a thorough assessment to determine whether DBT or RO-DBT is the better fit, and to understand your specific goals and challenges. Your clinician will work with you to build a treatment plan, and you will typically begin individual therapy and skills group simultaneously.

DBT is not a passive treatment - it requires active participation, skills practice between sessions, and a genuine commitment to change. Clients who engage fully with the process - attending both individual therapy and the skills group, doing homework, and using phone coaching when needed - achieve the best outcomes.

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What if therapy was actually fun?

Individual & Group Therapy – Online and In-Person. Available throughout Texas & Oklahoma.

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Increase Resilience – Emotionally, Behaviorally, and Socially

This program targets:

Available in-person or online throughout Texas and Oklahoma.

Program Pricing

For a weekly rate comparable to the average price of daycare, you get an intensive therapy program led by experienced licensed therapists. Secure your spot today.

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Intensive Program Structure

This program consists of 3 sessions per week:

  1. Individual One-on-One Therapy Session
  2. Mental Health Skills Class
  3. Fun Group Therapy Session with Dungeons & Dragons

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Unlock Emotional Strength Through Epic Adventures

DBT Therapy Program Meets Dungeons & Dragons

Our Adult DBT Therapy combined with Dungeons & Dragons is designed to help you build essential life skills while engaging through thrilling adventures in your group therapy sessions. This unique experience provides the therapeutic support you need in a fun and engaging environment.

We understand that traditional therapy can feel daunting – but it doesn’t have to be. In our DBT program, adults dive into Dungeons & Dragons, a game centered around creativity, collaboration, and imagination. Throughout these adventures, you’ll naturally learn crucial DBT skills like emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness – all in a low-pressure, enjoyable setting.

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Enhance Social Connections

Connect with others in a fun, low-pressure environment while developing social skills and teamwork through imaginative gameplay.

Develop Emotional Intelligence

Navigate complex scenarios and embody heroic characters to explore emotions and develop greater emotional insight.

Practice Empathy

Build empathy and strengthen real-world relationships as you collaborate with fellow adventurers, solving problems and facing challenges together.

A New Kind of Therapy

You’ve been searching for a therapeutic approach that feels meaningful and exciting – one that supports your emotional growth while engaging your imagination.

Therapy That Feels Like Play: Forget conventional talk therapy. You’ll enter the fantastical world of Dungeons & Dragons, where you’ll build connections, solve problems, and master DBT skills like mindfulness and emotion regulation – all while embarking on epic quests and defeating monsters.

Guided by Experts, Fueled by Adventure: Led by certified DBT therapists and skilled Dungeon Masters, each session is an opportunity to practice real-world coping strategies in a setting that feels like a game, not a lesson.

A Safe Space for Growth: Whether in person or online, you’ll join a supportive group of like-minded peers, all working together to increase self-awareness, resilience, and emotional strength – ready to face life’s challenges head-on.

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Online Options – A Program That Fits Your Life

Join from anywhere with our online format that brings adventure right to your home. Using secure platforms, you’ll fully participate in the DBT with Dungeons & Dragons program with just your computer and internet connection. No additional tools are needed – just an open mind and a readiness to grow while having fun.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does the online format work?

We use a combination of Zoom for video sessions and Roll20, an interactive platform that brings the Dungeons & Dragons world to life. You will join a small group of adult peers, along with a licensed DBT therapist and an experienced Dungeon Master, all from the comfort of home. No special equipment is required – just a computer and internet connection.

Will I still develop real-life skills through an online program?

Absolutely. While the sessions are online, the skills learned are very real. Our program integrates DBT techniques like emotion regulation, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness into each session. You will work through real-world challenges in a safe, structured environment, all while building social confidence and problem-solving abilities with peers.

Is this program effective for those who struggle with social anxiety?

Yes. One of the biggest benefits of using Dungeons & Dragons in therapy is that it provides a structured, low-pressure environment where you can practice social interaction and communication skills without the stress of face-to-face settings. This format allows you to gradually build confidence while interacting with others in a fun, supportive way.

How is this different from traditional therapy?

Our program is designed to be engaging and fun, using a game-based approach to help develop essential life skills. The Dungeons & Dragons element adds creativity and teamwork to the mix, making therapy feel more like a collaborative experience rather than a formal session. This unique approach helps people feel more relaxed and open to learning, which leads to better outcomes.

Will I need any prior knowledge of Dungeons & Dragons?

Not at all! Whether you have played before or are brand new to D&D, our Dungeon Masters will guide you through everything you need to know. The focus is on using the game to foster teamwork and emotional growth – no prior experience is required.

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