California Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, is a structured, skills-based approach that teaches you how to handle intense emotions and function more effectively in daily life. It focuses on four core areas:

• Mindfulness
• Emotion regulation
• Distress tolerance
• Interpersonal effectiveness

DBT combines acceptance with change. You learn to understand your emotional responses while also building healthier patterns. Because it is backed by extensive research, DBT works well for people who feel reactive, overwhelmed, or disconnected from themselves. It offers clear tools and steady support so you can feel more capable and grounded in your life.

What Does DBT Help With?

DBT is ideal for people who experience emotions deeply and have trouble coping with them. It is especially helpful for:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Trauma and PTSD
• ADHD
• Self-harm urges
• Addictions
• Emotional dysregulation
• Relationship stress

If your emotions shift quickly or you feel like you’re often in “survival mode,” DBT can help you find steadier ground. It also supports people navigating chronic illness, identity questions, work stress, or major life transitions. In every case, DBT gives you structure, tools, and hope so you can move through life with more balance and less overwhelm.

What to Expect During a DBT Session

During a DBT session, you will learn practical skills to help you manage emotions and communicate more effectively. Each session usually includes a check-in, time to build awareness, and space to explore how you’re using DBT tools in everyday situations. The work is structured, yet flexible. It is always collaborative and never focused on perfection.

Most importantly, progress is defined by what feels meaningful to you. All sessions are offered through TeleHealth, so you can access therapy anywhere in California. This makes it easier to fit DBT into your routine, even with a busy schedule.

Meet Your DBT Therapists

Sairah Abassi, LCSW

Sairah Abassi, LCSW, provides therapy for clients across California and Colorado, integrating Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to support individuals and couples in navigating stress, emotional challenges, and relationship dynamics. With a warm and practical approach, she helps clients develop mindfulness, emotional regulation, and communication skills, especially those healing from past trauma or seeking more balance in their daily lives.

Hannah Pasternak, LCSW

Hannah Pasternak, LCSW specializes in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), helping clients develop practical tools to manage intense emotions and move through life’s challenges with greater ease. By emphasizing mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness, she supports clients in building resilience—whether they’re facing relationship difficulties, workplace stress, anxiety, or the lasting effects of trauma. Hannah provides a warm, nonjudgmental space for clients to explore their emotions and experiences. Blending DBT techniques with a strengths-based approach, she empowers individuals to create lasting, meaningful change—fostering growth not only in their relationships with others, but also in their relationship with themselves.

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, 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.