California Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Access DBT Therapy in California to Help You Build Resilience
Struggling with overwhelming emotions, anxiety, or self-destructive patterns? Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) in California can help. This evidence-based approach combines mindfulness, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness to support lasting change. With the guidance of a certified DBT therapist, you’ll build the skills needed to manage distress, improve relationships, and regain control—one step at a time.
What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, is a structured and skills-based therapeutic approach that helps you manage overwhelming emotions, improve relationships, and function more effectively in daily life. It teaches four core areas: mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.
DBT is rooted in both acceptance and change. It helps you understand your emotions while also building healthier patterns. It is backed by decades of research and has been proven effective for people who feel emotionally reactive, stuck, or disconnected. DBT offers practical tools and compassionate support to help you regain a sense of control and start living a life you love.
What Does DBT Help With?
DBT is designed for people who feel emotions deeply and sometimes struggle to cope with them. It’s particularly effective in treating anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, ADHD, self-harm, emotional dysregulation, addictions, and relationship challenges.
If you often feel like your emotions swing from one extreme to another or that you’re constantly in “survival mode,” DBT can help you find steadier ground. It is also widely used with people navigating chronic illness, identity questions, or significant life and work stressors. DBT offers the structure and tools to help you move through life with more balance and less overwhelm.
What to Expect During a DBT Session
In a DBT session, you’ll learn practical skills to manage emotions and communicate more effectively. Sessions often include a check-in, a focus on building awareness, and time to explore how you’re applying DBT tools in your everyday life. It’s structured but flexible, always collaborative, and never about perfection.
Progress is measured by what feels meaningful to you. All sessions are held via TeleHealth, making it easier to fit therapy into your life, no matter your schedule or location in California.
Meet Your DBT Certified Therapist
Aly Giermann, LCSW
Aly Giermann, LCSW, is a DBT-certified therapist who brings a warm, strengths-based, and trauma-informed approach to every session. She works with clients navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, identity exploration, chronic stress, and life transitions. Aly also specializes in LGBTQ+ affirming care and understands how layered those experiences can be.
Aly takes a holistic approach by blending DBT with EMDR, CBT, and mindfulness. Her goal is to help you create a life you feel excited to wake up to. Outside of work, you’ll likely find her hiking with her two dogs or camping under the stars with family and friends.
Schedule an Appointment with a DBT Therapist Near You
Taking the first step can feel hard, but it’s also where healing begins. If you’re ready to explore DBT therapy with Aly, we’re here to help.
Services are available to California residents through phone or video sessions. To learn more or book a free consultation, contact our Intake Coordinator at 949-236-1990 or intakes@lisaeatontherapy.com. You can also visit our Get Started page to learn more.
Connect With Us
If you’re interested in Therapy Services, get started here.