Kalsner Psychology Center provides comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for children, adolescents, and adults through our Miami Beach and Weston locations. Our clinicians are extensively trained in DBT and use evidence-based approaches to help clients strengthen emotional regulation, improve relationships, tolerate distress, and develop healthier coping skills.
Interested in learning whether DBT may be a good fit for you or your family? Call 305-866-3579 or contact Kalsner Psychology Center to learn more about our individual therapy and DBT skills programs.
What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy was developed by Marsha Linehan, Ph.D., in the 1990s and was originally designed to help individuals experiencing Borderline Personality Disorder, self-harming behaviors, and severe emotional distress. Over time, DBT has also been used to help individuals experiencing concerns such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, trauma-related symptoms, relationship difficulties, and challenges with emotional regulation.
DBT combines individual therapy with structured skills training. The goal is to help clients understand difficult emotions and behaviors while developing practical skills that can be applied in everyday life.
The Four Core DBT Skills
Dialectical Behavior Therapy focuses on four primary areas of skills development:
- Mindfulness: Learning to pay attention to the present moment with greater awareness and less judgment. Mindfulness skills can help clients better recognize their thoughts, emotions, and behavioral patterns.
- Distress Tolerance: Developing strategies for managing painful emotions, stressful situations, and difficult urges without relying on harmful or ineffective behaviors.
- Emotion Regulation: Learning to identify, understand, and respond to emotions in healthier and more effective ways.
- Interpersonal Effectiveness: Building skills that can improve communication, strengthen relationships, manage interpersonal conflict, develop assertiveness, and maintain self-respect.
What Does DBT Treatment Include?
DBT treatment emphasizes the regular practice of skills both during therapy and in everyday situations. Depending on the treatment plan, clients may participate in individual DBT therapy, structured skills training, or a combination of both.
Clients may also use a DBT diary card to track emotions, urges, behaviors, and their use of DBT skills. These diary cards can then be reviewed during individual therapy sessions to identify patterns, reinforce progress, and determine which skills may be most helpful.
For clients participating in a comprehensive DBT skills group, weekly individual sessions with a DBT-trained therapist are generally an important part of the treatment model. Kalsner Psychology Center offers DBT services for both adolescents and adults, including individual treatment and scheduled skills groups.
Experienced DBT Clinicians
Dr. Lydia Kalsner-Silver is a Linehan Board Certified Clinician (DBT-LBC), and Kalsner Psychology Center has a longstanding history of providing adherent Dialectical Behavior Therapy in South Florida. As part of the South Florida DBT Consortium, the practice was the first certified DBT program in Florida between March 2020 and March 2026 and continues to provide DBT services using clinicians who have received intensive or foundational DBT training.
Dr. Kalsner-Silver and Dr. Nathalie Sanchez are also trained in DBT-C, an adaptation of DBT designed for children who struggle with intense emotions, impulsive behaviors, and difficulties with distress tolerance.
DBT for Adults, Adolescents, and Children
DBT can be adapted to meet the needs of different age groups. Adults may use DBT to improve emotional regulation, relationships, coping strategies, and responses to stressful situations. Adolescents can learn practical skills for managing intense emotions and interpersonal challenges, while DBT-C provides additional strategies specifically designed for younger children and their families.
Kalsner Psychology Center currently offers individual DBT treatment as well as skills groups for adolescents and adults. Group availability and scheduling may vary throughout the year.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy in Miami Beach and Weston
Kalsner Psychology Center provides DBT services through offices in Miami Beach and Weston, Florida, along with virtual therapy options when appropriate.
If you are looking for location-specific information, learn more about our Dialectical Behavior Therapy in Miami services or our Dialectical Behavior Therapy in Weston and Broward County.
Learn More About DBT at Kalsner Psychology Center
If you are considering Dialectical Behavior Therapy for yourself, your child, or a family member, our team can provide additional information about available DBT treatment options and skills groups.
Call 305-866-3579 or contact Kalsner Psychology Center online to learn more or request an appointment.
