Dialectical Behavioral Therapy in Denver: How DBT Helps and How to Get Started with WellPower

Posted on by WellPower

Key points at a glance:

  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy helps people manage intense emotions, reduce harmful behaviors and build practical skills for daily life.
  • WellPower offers DBT programs in Denver for adults, teens and families, with a clear pathway to getting started by calling us at (303) 504-7900.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, often called DBT, is an evidence-based treatment that helps people build skills to navigate emotional distress, improve relationships and regain a sense of control over their lives. At WellPower, DBT is one of the many ways we support people across Denver who are working toward recovery, stability and well-being.

As Denver’s nonprofit community mental health center, we meet people where they are and help them develop tools they can use not just in therapy but in everyday life. DBT is a structured, skills-focused approach that aligns with our belief that recovery is possible for everyone and that people deserve care that is practical, compassionate and accessible.

What is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy?

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy is a form of therapy designed to help people manage challenging emotions and reduce impulsive or harmful behaviors. DBT emphasizes balancing acceptance and change, helping people acknowledge where they are while also learning new ways to cope and move forward.

At WellPower, DBT focuses on helping people:

  • Manage intense emotions
  • Reduce impulsive behaviors
  • Build skills for coping with stress
  • Improve relationships and communication
  • Gain greater control over their behavior

DBT is commonly delivered through a combination of skills groups, individual therapy and additional supports depending on a person’s needs and services.

Who DBT helps

DBT can be helpful for people experiencing a wide range of mental and behavioral health challenges. At WellPower, DBT is often used to support people who experience:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Relationship difficulties
  • Suicidal ideation or suicide attempts
  • Self-harm behaviors
  • Substance use challenges
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder

DBT is not limited to one diagnosis or life stage. WellPower offers DBT-informed services and groups for children, teens, young adults and adults, recognizing that emotional regulation and coping skills are important at every stage of life.

For adolescents, DBT often includes family involvement so caregivers can learn and reinforce skills at home and in the community. This approach supports both the individual and their support system.

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How DBT works at WellPower

DBT at WellPower is structured and skills-based, with an emphasis on consistent participation and practice. The basis of DBT is helping people to learn skills for managing destructive behaviors in real-life situations. It’s built around four core skill groups: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness. Put simply, these skill groups help people learn to be aware of their behaviors and make lasting changes to improve their lives.

While services vary based on age group and program, DBT commonly includes:

  • Skills groups focused on learning and practicing DBT tools
  • Individual therapy as part of comprehensive care
  • Homework and real-world skill practice
  • Ongoing tracking of emotions and behaviors through tools such as diary cards

DBT is typically delivered in multiweek modules that build on one another. These modules are broken down over the duration of the course by the severity of treatment needs – from helping reduce suicidal or self-injury related behaviors to improving quality of life overall. Completing all modules often takes several months, with the full program sometimes extending longer when clinically appropriate. Consistent engagement is an important part of experiencing the benefits of DBT.

WellPower’s DBT program includes individual therapy, a skills group and phone coaching. A typical group DBT session with WellPower starts with reviewing that week’s diary card, a daily tracker that helps people monitor their habits, emotions, distress levels, urges, skill usage and behaviors, as well as going over that week’s DBT course homework. A therapist runs the group, facilitating discussion with participants about their experiences and providing support.

DBT skills people learn

DBT focuses on teaching practical skills that people can use in everyday situations. While each program is tailored to individual needs, DBT skills often support people in areas such as:

  • Recognizing and naming emotions
  • Tolerating distress without making situations worse
  • Communicating more effectively in relationships
  • Making thoughtful choices during emotionally intense moments

At WellPower, these skills are taught in a supportive, structured environment that encourages practice both in sessions and in daily life.

Why choose DBT at WellPower in Denver?

WellPower is Colorado’s largest community mental health center and has served Denver for more than three decades. Our DBT programs are part of a broader, integrated approach to care that recognizes mental health is connected to housing, employment, physical health and community support.

People choose DBT at WellPower because we offer:

  • Services across the lifespan, including children, teens and adults
  • Programs designed to meet people where they are
  • A nonprofit, community-based approach focused on accessibility
  • Support for people with Medicaid and other coverage options
  • Care delivered across multiple locations and community settings

For adults already receiving services at WellPower, DBT can be integrated into their existing treatment plan, providing continuity and coordination across care teams.

Getting started with DBT at WellPower

Starting DBT at WellPower begins with accessing services. Whether you are seeking care for yourself or a loved one, our team helps determine which programs are the best fit.

Steps to get started

To begin DBT services at WellPower:

  • Call us at (303) 504-7900
  • Answer a few questions about your needs, background and current supports
  • Work with our team to identify appropriate services and next steps

If you are already enrolled in services at WellPower, you can talk with your treatment team about whether DBT may be appropriate for you and how to enroll in a DBT program.

DBT for different communities and needs

WellPower recognizes that access to care looks different for everyone. In addition to English-language DBT programs, WellPower offers a Spanish-language DBT skills group for adults 18 and older, with individual therapy and phone coaching available in Spanish as needed.

For parents and caregivers, DBT skills groups provide tools that can be used to support children and teens while also strengthening family relationships.

DBT as part of whole-person care

At WellPower, DBT is not offered in isolation. It is part of a comprehensive approach that may include:

  • Individual and group therapy
  • Psychiatric services and medication management
  • Case management and community support
  • Peer support services
  • Connections to housing, employment and other resources

This integrated model reflects our belief that mental health care works best when it supports the whole person and the realities of their life.

When DBT might be a good fit

DBT may be a good option if you or someone you love:

  • Feels overwhelmed by emotions
  • Struggles with impulsive or harmful behaviors
  • Wants practical skills to manage stress and relationships
  • Has tried other therapies and needs a more structured approach
  • Is seeking care in Denver through a trusted community provider

Our team helps determine whether DBT is the right fit and what level of care best supports each person’s goals.

Taking the first step

Reaching out for mental health support can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to navigate it alone. At WellPower, we are here to listen, answer questions and help you take the next step toward healing.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy is one of the many tools we use to help people in Denver build skills, find stability and move toward a life they want to live. If you are curious about DBT or ready to get started, contacting us at (303) 504-7900 is the first step toward support and care that meets you where you are.

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