Dialectic Behavioral therapy based (DBT) in Veldhoven, Eindhoven

About Dialectical Behavior therapy (DBT) informed therapy

Illustration: DBT models:

DBT is often categorized within the "third wave" of cognitive-behavioral therapy, where it transforms traditional CBT to help individuals manage more intense emotions and experiences. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a structured, evidence-based form of psychotherapy that helps people develop practical skills to manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and cope more effectively with stress. Originally developed to support individuals struggling with emotional regulation, DBT is now widely used for a range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and impulsive behaviors.

DBT combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices, focusing on both acceptance and change. This means clients learn to acknowledge their thoughts and feelings without judgment while also building skills to respond to them in healthier ways.

The therapy typically centers around four key skill areas:

Mindfulness: staying present and aware in the moment
Distress Tolerance: coping with difficult situations without making them worse
Emotion Regulation: understanding and managing intense emotions
Interpersonal Effectiveness: communicating needs and setting boundaries in relationships

DBT is collaborative and skills-focused, offering practical tools that can be applied in everyday life. The goal is to help individuals build a life that feels more stable, meaningful, and aligned with their values.

Who DBT Can Help

People who feel overwhelmed by intense emotions
Those who struggle with mood swings or impulsive behaviors
Individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, or burnout
People with relationship difficulties or conflict patterns
Anyone wanting better coping skills and emotional balance

What to Expect in Sessions

A structured, goal-oriented approach
Learning and practicing new skills each session
Possible homework or exercises to apply skills in daily life

Benefits of DBT

Greater emotional stability
Improved relationships and communication
Increased resilience in stressful situations
Better self-awareness and confidence
Healthier ways to cope with difficult feelings

Core elements of DBT. Reference: https://www.grouporttherapy.com/what-we-treat/dbt

Illustration: DBT skill TIPP

Example of one of the DBT skills TIPP, a set of techniques designed to help you quickly calm intense emotions. These skills work by changing your body’s physical state, which in turn helps your mind settle more quickly.

TIPP skills are especially helpful in moments of overwhelm, anxiety, or emotional distress, when it’s hard to think clearly or use other coping strategies.

Reference: https://working4recovery.com/mytoolkit/Resources_TIPP.html

Example of one of the DBT skills wise mind. Wise Mind is the integration of both rational mind and emotional mind. It’s the place where you can honor your emotions while also responding thoughtfully. This is often the goal in DBT: learning to access Wise Mind when making decisions or navigating challenges.

Reference: https://mentalhealthcenterkids.com/blogs/articles/wise-mind-dbt

* Please note that I provide DBT-based therapy, rather than full Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Full DBT typically involves several components: weekly individual therapy sessions, weekly group skills training sessions, access to phone consultations with the therapist, and support from a collaborative treatment team. While I incorporate DBT principles and skills into our individual therapy sessions, I do not offer the full range of DBT resources.

Illustration of DBT worksheet "non-judgemental stance" (examples)

This graphic illustrates the DBT Nonjudgmental Stance worksheet. Clients are invited to track situations that trigger unpleasant emotions and notice the judgments they add to these experiences, as well as how these judgments can intensify emotions and lead to negative emotional outcomes and unhelpful reactions. It shows how how judgments act like gasoline on the fire of our emotions. Here is a quick breakdown of what’s happening:

The Initial Feeling: You start with a natural reaction (Primary Emotion), like being hurt or impatient.
The "Extra" Emotion: When you add a judgment like "They are jerks" or "I'm broken" you create a second, much heavier layer of pain (Secondary Emotion), like intense anger or shame.

DBT teaches a non-judgmental stance and the ability to observe emotions without immediately reacting to them, which can make emotions feel more manageable.

Reference: Dijk, S. van. (2021). The DBT workbook for emotional relief: Fast-acting dialectical behavior therapy skills to balance out-of-control emotions & find calm right now. New Harbinger Publications.

* Please note that I provide DBT-based therapy, rather than full Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Full DBT typically involves several components: weekly individual therapy sessions, weekly group skills training sessions, access to phone consultations with the therapist, and support from a collaborative treatment team. While I incorporate DBT principles and skills into our individual therapy sessions, I do not offer the full range of DBT resources.

radical acceptance what it is_edited.jpg

Illustration of DBT skill "Radical Acceptance" The content of illustrations is based by the book Dijk, S. van. (2021). The DBT workbook for emotional relief: Fast-acting dialectical behavior therapy skills to balance out-of-control emotions & find calm right now. New Harbinger Publications.

This graphic illustrates DBT skill radical acceptance. Radical acceptance means fully acknowledging reality as it is without fighting it, denying it, or wishing it were different. It doesn’t mean you approve of or like the situation; rather, you stop resisting the facts of what has already happened, which reduces unnecessary suffering. By accepting reality in this way, you free up emotional energy to cope more effectively and decide how to move forward, instead of staying stuck in frustration or pain about things you cannot change.

Reference: Dijk, S. van. (2021). The DBT workbook for emotional relief: Fast-acting dialectical behavior therapy skills to balance out-of-control emotions & find calm right now. New Harbinger Publications.

Linehan, M. M. (2014). DBT® skills training handouts and worksheets (2nd ed.). Guilford Pres

Illustration of DBT skill "Radical Acceptance". The content of illustrations can be found in Linehan, M. M. (2014). DBT® skills training handouts and worksheets (2nd ed.). Guilford Pres

Illustration of DBT skill "Radical Acceptance" The content of illustrations is based by the book Dijk, S. van. (2021). The DBT workbook for emotional relief: Fast-acting dialectical behavior therapy skills to balance out-of-control emotions & find calm right now. New Harbinger Publications.

This graphic illustrates DBT skill radical acceptance step by step guide. To practice acceptance, start by choosing a low-stakes situation like a long coffee line or the weather rather than your biggest life challenge, and commit to working on it. Next, notice when you begin "fighting reality" by catching resistant thoughts like "it’s not fair" or "it shouldn't be this way." Finally, remind yourself that accepting this reality saves your energy and brings peace, then gently repeat this process every time you feel yourself waffling back into the internal argument.

Reference: Dijk, S. van. (2021). The DBT workbook for emotional relief: Fast-acting dialectical behavior therapy skills to balance out-of-control emotions & find calm right now. New Harbinger Publications.

Linehan, M. M. (2014). DBT® skills training handouts and worksheets (2nd ed.). Guilford Pres

Illustration of DBT skill "Radical Acceptance" example to step by step guide. The content of illustrations is based by the book Dijk, S. van. (2021). The DBT workbook for emotional relief: Fast-acting dialectical behavior therapy skills to balance out-of-control emotions & find calm right now. New Harbinger Publications.

Illustration of DBT skill "Radical Acceptance" additional tools. The content of illustrations is based by the book Linehan, M. M. (2014). DBT® skills training handouts and worksheets (2nd ed.). Guilford Pres

* Please note that I provide DBT-based therapy, rather than full Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Full DBT typically involves several components: weekly individual therapy sessions, weekly group skills training sessions, access to phone consultations with the therapist, and support from a collaborative treatment team. While I incorporate DBT principles and skills into our individual therapy sessions, I do not offer the full range of DBT resources.

DBT skill "Self-validation"

Worksheet "Self-validation" filled example

Gemini_Generated_Image_1vt6yw1vt6yw1vt6 (2).png

Illustration of DBT skill "self validation"

In Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), self-validation is the skill of acknowledging and accepting your own internal experiences your emotions, thoughts, and physical sensations as understandable and valid, even if you don’t like them or don’t act on them. It doesn’t mean you have to agree with every thought you have or believe your interpretations are always accurate. Instead, it’s about recognizing that your reactions make sense in the context of your history, current situation, and biology.

Self-validation is especially important because many people develop habits of automatically judging their feelings (“I shouldn’t feel this way,” “This is stupid,” “I’m overreacting”). In DBT, these judgments are seen as a major driver of emotional suffering. When you invalidate your own experience, you often intensify distress, add secondary emotions like shame, and increase impulsive or avoidant coping behaviors. Self-validation interrupts this cycle by shifting the stance from criticism to understanding.

Over time, self-validation helps regulate emotions more effectively because it reduces internal conflict. When your experience is acknowledged rather than fought against, emotions tend to settle more naturally, and you’re in a better position to choose thoughtful actions instead of reacting from shame, panic, or self-criticism.

Reference: Dijk, S. van. (2021). The DBT workbook for emotional relief: Fast-acting dialectical behavior therapy skills to balance out-of-control emotions & find calm right now. New Harbinger Publications.

The content of illustrations inspired by the book Dijk, S. van. (2021). The DBT workbook for emotional relief: Fast-acting dialectical behavior therapy skills to balance out-of-control emotions & find calm right now. New Harbinger Publications.

* Please note that I provide DBT-based therapy, rather than full Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Full DBT typically involves several components: weekly individual therapy sessions, weekly group skills training sessions, access to phone consultations with the therapist, and support from a collaborative treatment team. While I incorporate DBT principles and skills into our individual therapy sessions, I do not offer the full range of DBT resources.

Dialectical Behavior therapy (DBT) informed therapy*

About Dialectical Behavior therapy (DBT) informed therapy

Who DBT Can Help

What to Expect in Sessions

Benefits of DBT

Contact

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Dialectical Behavior therapy (DBT) informed therapy*

About Dialectical Behavior therapy (DBT) informed therapy

Who DBT Can Help

What to Expect in Sessions

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Benefits of DBT

Contact

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Opening Hours* in person sessions working hours will differ

Opening Hours*
in person sessions working hours will differ