What the Heck is DBT?
August 15, 2025
Why I fell in love with DBT — and why my clients wish they’d learned it sooner.
If you’ve ever felt lost in a sea of acronyms — CBT, EMDR, IOP, OMG — you’re not alone. In the therapy world, it can feel like we’re speaking our own secret language. So when someone first told me about DBT, my first thought was, “Okay… what does this one mean?” (Spoiler: It’s not a new texting shorthand.)
DBT stands for Dialectical Behavior Therapy,
and while it’s not a gadget or a workout, it is a powerful, life-changing approach to learning practical skills for managing emotions, handling stress, and improving relationships.
How I Discovered DBT
I was first introduced to DBT many years ago by a friend and colleague while working in the outpatient mental health clinic at the Des Moines VA hospital. From the moment I learned about it, I was hooked. The practical nature of DBT—learning concrete skills to manage life in a way that aligns with your personal values—resonated deeply with me.
And I’m not alone in that. Clients often tell me, “Why couldn’t I have learned all this sooner?! This could’ve saved me from so much hardship if only I’d known!”
Over the years, I’ve heard powerful testimonies from group members. Some have shared how they now teach DBT skills to their children, noticing a real change in how their families interact. It’s not just therapy—it’s a toolkit for life.
What Happens in DBT Skills Training?
DBT Skills Training teaches practical, real-world tools in four main areas:
- Mindfulness – Staying present instead of lost in worries or regrets.
- Distress Tolerance – Surviving emotional storms without making things worse.
- Emotion Regulation – Understanding and working with your emotions instead of feeling ruled by them.
- Interpersonal Effectiveness – Communicating more clearly, setting boundaries, and building stronger relationships.
These are skills you can use immediately—at work, at home, and in all your relationships.
Check out my video talking more about DBT here:
https://youtu.be/TMAg3egcVi8
Next DBT Skills Training Group
📅 Starts: Wednesday, August 20
🕓 Time: 4:00 – 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Moore Life Counseling, West Des Moines, IA
This next module is the perfect time to jump in and start learning. Whether you’re facing anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, or just the stress of everyday life, DBT offers tools that work.
Ready to join or learn more?
Call us at 515-240-1910 or email cheryl@moorelifecc.com to let me know you're interested.
Space is limited—we’d love to see you there!
Skillfully,
Cheryl Moore
On Monday morning, with great anticipation and the thrill of recognizing hard work fulfilled, I opened the doors to my new therapy practice, Moore Life Counseling. It was a moment filled with pride and purpose, followed with familiar waves of anxiety. I was reminded how even joyful transitions can stir up echoes of the past, especially for those living with Complex PTSD (CPTSD). Unlike PTSD, which often stems from a single traumatic event, CPTSD typically develops from prolonged or repeated trauma, often in childhood. These experiences can deeply shape a person’s sense of safety, trust, and identity—making change, even positive change, feel destabilizing. Major life transitions can be uniquely challenging for those with CPTSD because they may trigger: Loss of control – Positive changes can still feel unsafe. Fear of the unknown – New situations can mirror early experiences of chaos. Attachment disruptions – Change might awaken fears of abandonment. Shifts in identity – Altered roles can unsettle a fragile sense of self. Body memories and emotional flooding – Triggers may arise without an obvious cause. If you find yourself reacting strongly to a big life change—moving, starting a new job, ending a relationship—it doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means your nervous system is working hard to protect you, even if its methods are outdated. Some supportive strategies include: Practicing grounding and self-compassion Creating predictable routines Naming fears and inner parts Processing triggers with trauma-informed therapies like EMDR or ART Leaning on safe, supportive relationships As I step into this new season, I’m reminded that healing doesn’t mean we never get shaken—it means we’ve learned how to find our footing again. My hope is that this space becomes a place where you can do just that. Recommended Resources: Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving by Pete Walker The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
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