Comprehensive DBT and RO-DBT Therapy Serving Costa Mesa

Southern California's premier comprehensive DBT and RO-DBT group practice serves individuals and families in-person and virtually. Our clinicians hold foundational training in DBT and Level-3 certification in Radically Open DBT. We serve clients from Costa Mesa and throughout Orange County at our Irvine location.

Our therapists teach skills needed to function when the world feels overwhelming. Individual and group therapy sessions help you accept and change behavior patterns, making daily challenges more manageable.

"Tiana and her entire team are incredible. Many therapists claim to do DBT, but DBT Center does it as it was intended. DBT is hard work. It takes commitment and dedication and as long as you commit to do that hard work, it will change your life. So thankful I found them!"

What is Standard DBT and RO-DBT?

Mental health professionals and clients know Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Marsha Linehan developed it in the late 1980s for borderline personality disorder treatment. Today, research validates its effectiveness for depression, anxiety, eating disorders, ADHD, PTSD, self-harm and suicidal tendencies.

DBT reduces intense emotional pain from these conditions. Four core modules form the foundation: mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance and emotional regulation.

Two emotional regulation patterns exist. Standard DBT helps emotional undercontrol. Radically Open DBT (RO-DBT) addresses emotional overcontrol.

Standard DBT

Standard DBT works for people experiencing emotional undercontrol. Intense, rapidly shifting emotions feel overwhelming and unmanageable.

Those benefiting from standard DBT show impulsive or self-destructive behaviors, chronic emptiness or anger and relationship instability. Stress management becomes difficult when emotions feel out of control.

Treatment focuses on mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance and interpersonal effectiveness skills. This method works best when emotions feel disinhibited or overwhelming.

Radically Open DBT (RO-DBT)

Dr. Thomas Lynch developed RO-DBT for emotional overcontrol struggles. People with overcontrolled emotions experience social isolation, change resistance and risk avoidance.

Perfectionist tendencies, loneliness and excessive caution characterize this group. Connecting with others and maintaining relationships proves challenging.

Standard DBT treats out-of-control emotions. RO-DBT handles internalized distress - feelings unexpressed to others or completely suppressed. Different emotional patterns require different treatment approaches.

Is Standard DBT Right for Me?

Undercontrolled: Emotionally Dysregulated and Impulsive

Consider standard DBT if you experience suicidal behavior, self-injury, chronic depression, anxiety, anger or self-destructive patterns. Intense emotional reactivity, mood instability, unstable self-image and emptiness also indicate this treatment path.

Additional signs include stress-related paranoia, reality disconnection, victimization feelings, abandonment fears or chaotic relationships.

Recommended Treatment Path: Standard DBT

Is RO-DBT Right for Me?

Overcontrolled: Emotionally Constrictive and Risk Averse

Consider RO-DBT if depression and anxiety combine with excessive caution, dutifulness and careful behavior. Uncertainty avoidance, unplanned risk aversion, compulsive planning and rigid rule-following suggest this approach.

Loneliness despite high functioning, spontaneity struggles or feeling disconnected from others commonly occur in people who benefit from RO-DBT.

Recommended Treatment Path: RO-DBT

What We Treat

Compassionate, evidence-based treatment addresses borderline personality disorder (BPD), chronic depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Treatment extends to eating disorders, disordered eating, substance use disorder and obsessive compulsive personality disorder.

Services include autism spectrum disorder support and traumatic invalidation recovery. Client ages range from adolescents to adults.

Individual, couple and family treatment options accommodate diverse needs and circumstances.

Why Choose DBT Center for Your Mental Health Journey?

Specialized Expertise in Orange County

Our team understands pressures and lifestyle factors affecting Orange County residents. Culturally sensitive care recognizes diverse community backgrounds and experiences.

Clinicians maintain foundational DBT training and the highest RO-DBT certification level. This specialized training delivers current, effective treatment methods.

Convenient Access and Flexible Care

Our Irvine location provides easy access for residents seeking quality mental health care. Flexible scheduling includes evening and weekend appointments for busy lifestyles.

Virtual therapy sessions suit those preferring home-based treatment. This flexibility maintains treatment consistency regardless of schedule or transportation challenges.

Contact Us for a Free Assessment

Ready to take the first step toward healing? Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with our Clinical Director to see if we're the right fit for your needs.