Dialectical Therapy (DBT) in Fresno, California

At Sierra Meadows Behavioral Health, we believe healing is possible when treatment is tailored to the whole person—their emotions, relationships, behaviors, and story. That’s why we proudly offer Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) in Fresno, California for individuals navigating intense emotions, chronic mental health conditions, or a history of self-harming behaviors. Whether you’re struggling with substance abuse, eating disorders, or a diagnosis like borderline personality disorder, our DBT program is designed to help you build a life rooted in stability, mindfulness, and meaningful change.

Our Fresno and Visalia-based centers provides access to licensed and compassionate DBT therapists, including LMFTs, LCSWs, and clinical social workers, who understand how to guide clients through emotional dysregulation and into lasting recovery. We serve adults, adolescents, couples, and families from Clovis and across the Central Valley, offering both individual therapy and group therapy as part of a broader behavioral health treatment approach. Whether you’re referred by a loved one, a provider, or you’re a new client looking for support, our doors are open.

What Is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy?

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a form of psychotherapy originally developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan to treat borderline personality disorder, particularly for individuals who struggled with suicidal thoughts or self-harming behaviors. Today, DBT is a leading evidence-based therapy used for a wide range of mental health challenges, including substance use, mood disorders, and trauma-related conditions.

DBT is rooted in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) but adds a critical element: dialectics, or the idea that two seemingly opposing truths can coexist. For example, you can accept yourself as you are and still work toward change. This balance between acceptance and transformation forms the core of DBT’s healing power.

What Is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy?

What sets DBT apart from other forms of psychological therapy is its structured focus on skill-building. DBT clients learn four key sets of coping skills, often referred to as DBT skills, that help reduce emotional suffering and create healthier responses to stress and triggers:

Mindfulness – Staying present in the moment without judgment

Distress Tolerance – Navigating crises without making things worse

Emotion Regulation – Understanding and managing intense emotional reactions

Interpersonal Effectiveness – Communicating needs clearly while maintaining relationships

These skills are taught in individual therapy sessions and group therapy environments, and clients are encouraged to practice them in real life between sessions. Our Fresno DBT program also integrates modalities like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) for trauma-focused healing and draws on psychodynamic, solution-focused, and person-centered approaches depending on the client’s goals.

Who Benefits from DBT?

While DBT was originally designed for clients with borderline personality disorder, its application has expanded to treat a wide variety of mental health concerns. At Sierra Meadows, we’ve seen DBT make an incredible difference for individuals navigating:

Chronic emotion dysregulation or mood swings
Self-harming behaviors or suicidal ideation
Substance abuse and substance use relapse prevention
Eating disorders such as binge eating, bulimia, or anorexia
Struggles with impulsivity, rage, or intense relationships
Difficulty with coping mechanisms during high stress
Co-occurring disorders where anxiety, trauma, and addiction overlap
Adolescents struggling with identity, peer pressure, or self-worth
Relationship struggles, often addressed in couples therapy or family therapy

DBT can also help clients who haven’t seen success with traditional CBT alone or who need a more structured and skills-based intervention to stabilize symptoms and build emotional resilience.

Our DBT Treatment Model in Fresno

At Sierra Meadows, we provide a structured, person-centered DBT program that combines multiple forms of therapy and support for comprehensive healing. Your care begins with a personalized intake process and a customized treatment plan that addresses your treatment goals, personal history, and clinical needs.

Depending on your unique case, our DBT treatment model may include:

Weekly individual DBT therapy sessions with a licensed DBT therapist
Structured group skills training focused on DBT modules
Optional integration of CBT, EMDR, or psychodynamic therapy
Family involvement through family therapy or family systems support
Ongoing assessment and progress monitoring to adjust care as needed
Coordination with primary care or psychiatric services for medication management
Inclusive support for LGBTQ clients and culturally diverse populations

We also work with a variety of healthcare providers and insurance carriers including Cigna, Aetna, and other major plans to make treatment more accessible.

Trauma-Informed and Inclusive DBT in Fresno

We know that trauma, identity, and emotional safety are essential considerations in therapy. Our team is trained in trauma-informed care and offers DBT services with respect, empathy, and attention to each client’s lived experience. This includes making space for clients of all backgrounds, especially LGBTQ individuals and families seeking affirming care in California’s Central Valley.

Our DBT therapists include experienced licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs), clinical social workers (LCSWs), and psychotherapists with extensive training in both DBT and intersecting therapeutic modalities. Whether you’re coming from Clovis, Fresno, or another nearby community, you’ll find care that respects your voice, culture, and emotional landscape.

DBT for Families

Families often face emotional storms they don’t yet have the tools to navigate. For adolescents struggling with impulsivity, self-harming, or extreme reactivity, DBT offers a life-changing toolkit. At Sierra Meadows, we offer DBT specifically tailored for teens, alongside family therapy and family systems sessions to improve communication and rebuild trust within the home.

By involving the whole family system, we not only support the adolescent but empower parents and siblings with the education and skills needed to foster long-term recovery and well-being.

Building Lasting Change Through DBT

Recovery isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. DBT teaches that healing is not linear, but possible with consistent effort, the right support, and the right tools. Whether you’re working to reduce emotional reactivity, break cycles of substance use, or improve your relationships, DBT equips you with actionable strategies to navigate daily life more effectively.

Clients often report feeling more grounded, more in control, and more hopeful after completing a DBT cycle. For those who have tried other therapies without success, DBT can provide a fresh and empowering path forward.

DBT Services at Sierra Meadows Behavioral Health

At Sierra Meadows Behavioral Health, we offer a welcoming space for individuals seeking Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) in Fresno, California. We serve clients from all walks of life—including adolescents, families, adults, and couples—by providing inclusive, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive care. Located near Clovis, our behavioral health center is staffed by experienced therapists who blend DBT, CBT, EMDR, and other modalities to support holistic recovery.

We’re also committed to making care accessible. We accept major insurance plans like Cigna, Aetna, and others, and we guide you through the intake process to ensure your transition into care is smooth and stress-free. Whether you’re referred by a doctor, exploring your options, or reaching out on behalf of a loved one, our team is here to help you build real, sustainable healing.

Contact Sierra Meadows Behavioral Health today to begin your DBT journey in Fresno—because lasting change begins with the right support system.

Dialectical Therapy (DBT) in Fresno, California

What Is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy?

What Is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy?

Who Benefits from DBT?

Our DBT Treatment Model in Fresno

Trauma-Informed and Inclusive DBT in Fresno

DBT for Families

Building Lasting Change Through DBT

DBT Services at Sierra Meadows Behavioral Health

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Fresno Location

Visalia Location

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Sierra Meadows Behavioral Health