DBT Therapy for When Your Emotions Feel Hard to Manage
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) in Bala Cynwyd and Philadelphia for adults experiencing emotional dysregulation, overwhelm, impulsive reactions, and relationship challenges. Evidence-based DBT treatment builds practical skills for distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and healthier communication. Virtual therapy is available across Pennsylvania, Florida, and Maine.
DBT Therapy Snapshot
- Who we support: adults experiencing intense emotions or difficulty coping
- Common concerns: emotional dysregulation, anxiety, impulsivity, relationship conflict, overwhelm
- Core skills taught: distress tolerance, emotional regulation, mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness
- Approach: skills-based, structured DBT integrated with trauma-informed care
- Session format: weekly therapy focused on practical tools and real-life application
- Locations: Bala Cynwyd & Philadelphia, plus virtual sessions in PA, FL, and ME
You don’t need to “be calmer.” You need practical skills and real support.
DBT therapy at Guiding Kindness Therapy offers skills-based, collaborative care for adults who experience intense emotions, relationship challenges, or difficulty coping during moments of distress. We work with emotional dysregulation, overwhelm, impulsive reactions, and patterns that feel hard to change—even when you understand them intellectually.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) focuses on building tools for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and healthier relationships.
What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?
You know what you should do in the moment… so why does it still feel impossible when emotions spike?
Many people come to DBT therapy feeling frustrated or discouraged by how intense their emotional reactions feel. You may be “high-functioning” on the outside, yet inside feel overwhelmed, reactive, or quickly pulled into emotional extremes. DBT is an evidence-based therapy designed to help individuals manage intense emotions, reduce impulsive behaviors, and improve relationships. It combines acceptance strategies with practical skill-building tools.
Difficulty regulating emotions doesn’t always look like losing control. It can show up as intense mood swings, impulsive reactions, shutting down during conflict, people-pleasing, avoidance, or feeling stuck in cycles you understand but can’t seem to change.
How does DBT help with emotional regulation?
DBT teaches structured skills for identifying emotions, tolerating distress without reacting impulsively, and responding thoughtfully rather than automatically.
At Guiding Kindness Therapy, we understand that DBT therapy isn’t about eliminating emotions or “calming down” at all costs.
It’s about learning practical skills to regulate intense feelings, tolerate distress, communicate more effectively, and respond thoughtfully—even when emotions feel overwhelming in the moment.
Signs It Might Be Time to Reach Out
When Survival Becomes Your Baseline
Ongoing emotional overwhelm can quietly shape how you relate to yourself, others, and daily life. Over time, it can make emotions feel unpredictable, intense, or exhausting to manage.
DBT therapy creates space to build practical skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and healthier relationships—without judgment or pressure to “fix” yourself.
Common Reasons Women Seek DBT Therapy With Us
You may find yourself here if you’re experiencing:
Intense emotions that feel hard to control or calm
Emotional swings that disrupt your relationships or sense of stability
Difficulty managing conflict or expressing needs effectively
Strong reactions that feel “out of proportion” to the situation
Trouble setting or maintaining boundaries
Chronic feelings of shame, guilt, or self-criticism
Patterns of impulsive behaviors or emotional shutdown
Feeling overwhelmed by stress, change, or interpersonal demands
Meet Our Team
Eva Light, LCSW
I get it – I'm not a flawless professional with a handbook. My style as a therapist includes radical acceptance, cutting through the bullshit, and encouraging you to be your most authentic self.
Kirstie Juenger, LPC
Your unique journey deserves sincere support. In our sessions, expect a mix of humor, patience, and genuine understanding for open and honest discussions.
Faith Higgins, LAPC, ATR-P
I’ll always show up as a human first -- for you to feel comfortable being you, I need to be authentically me, too. Our sessions will navigate your big life changes and transitions.
Katherine Hayden, LSW
We are on the journey of healing together. In our sessions expect laughter, healing, and togetherness. If you want someone to challenge you, tell you how to adjust and pivot, I’m your person!
You Don’t Have to Keep Managing Emotions That Feel Out of Control
There often comes a moment when pushing through just isn’t sustainable anymore. When the coping strategies that once worked start costing too much.
Choosing therapy is not giving up—it’s choosing yourself. It’s deciding that your inner world deserves as much care as everyone else’s.
Trauma, family, & couples therapists
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Virtual & In-Person
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Bala Cynwyd, Philadelphia, Florida, and Maine
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Trauma, family, & couples therapists 💬 Virtual & In-Person 🌿 Bala Cynwyd, Philadelphia, Florida, and Maine 💚
How DBT Therapy at Guiding Kindness Works
Working with Guiding Kindness Therapy means your experiences are validated and your growth is supported with practical tools.
Our therapists use DBT-informed approaches that are structured, collaborative, and skills-based—helping you build emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and healthier relationships without judgment or pressure to be “perfect.”
What to Expect
Step 1: Free Consultation
We explore what’s bringing you in and whether we’re the right fit.
Step 2: Intake & Assessment
We gently map your history, strengths, and goals—at your pace.
Step 3: Ongoing Therapy
Sessions focus on insight, emotional processing, nervous system regulation, and real-world change. Many clients begin noticing shifts within the first few months.
You Asked,
We Answered
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Yes. We offer in-person therapy for women in Bala Cynwyd and Philadelphia, PA.
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Absolutely. We provide virtual therapy across Pennsylvania, Florida, Maine, and Delaware.
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That depends on your goals. Some women work with us short-term, others longer-term for deeper trauma work.
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That’s okay. We’ll guide you through every step—no pressure, no expectations.
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During the first session, we work on exploring why you are coming to therapy and identifying your needs. We will make sure all your paperwork is filled out correctly.
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DBT is effective for emotional regulation and distress tolerance
National Institutes of Health
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525629/Behavioral therapies improve emotional and relational outcomes
National Institute of Mental Health
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/psychotherapies
