Problems with Emotion Dysregulation
Evidence-based care to help you build a life worth living.
Emotion Dysregulation
Emotion dysregulation refers to difficulty managing emotional responses in a way that is flexible, effective, and adaptive across different situations. People who struggle with emotion dysregulation might:
- Feel like their emotions are intense or overwhelming
- Feel like their emotions come out of nowhere, or like they have big responses to little things
- Feel numb or detached from their emotions
- Have trouble calming down once upset
- Act impulsively, especially when distressed
- Have difficulties in their relationships with others
Emotion dysregulation can show up in many different psychological conditions, including borderline personality disorder (BPD), depression, bipolar disorders, eating disorders, and trauma-related problems. Many people who experience emotion dysregulation turn to things like substance use or self-harm to help them cope, and may feel so stuck or discouraged that they think about or attempt suicide.
If these sound like problems you are struggling with, you are not alone. And with the right treatment approach, it is possible to learn new ways to manage emotions, reduce distress, and build a more stable and fulfilling life.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a structured, evidence-based treatment that was developed specifically to help people who have trouble with emotion dysregulation. DBT has a strong research foundation and a clear set of methods for teaching practical, real-world skills. It directly targets the processes that make emotions feel overwhelming and unmanageable, and it does so in a systematic, measurable way.
If you or a loved one are struggling with emotion dysregulation, our team of experts can help. Get in touch with us today to learn more about what your options are.
Emotional Dysregulation
Problems with emotion dysregulation can take a variety of forms, including:
- Painful, strong emotions, that feel overwhelming or like there is no escape
- Your emotions feel like they come out of the blue, and/or shift quickly from one to the next
- It feels like your emotions control your life and your decisions
- Presence of suicidal ideation and/or self-harm behaviors
- Other impulsive behaviors related to emotions
- Problems with anger, shame, or low mood
- Problems with feeling numb or detached from your emotions
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was originally created to help people diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Many people with BPD struggle with intense and overwhelming feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. They might experience things like:
- Emotion dysregulation.
- Self-harm and suicide urges or behaviors.
- Other impulsive, damaging behaviors.
- Trouble keeping relationships, or feeling like your relationships are often chaotic or high-conflict.
- Feeling empty, or like you do not have a strong sense of who you are.
You do not have to have a diagnosis of BPD in order to benefit from DBT. A great deal of research has shown that DBT is effective for many different problems, including BPD. If you are wondering whether you might have BPD, we are happy to talk with you more about this diagnosis.
Suicidal and Self-Harm Behavior
Many individuals who experience emotion dysregulation experience suicidal thoughts, or engage in suicide attempts and/or intentional self-injury that is not suicidal. DBT was designed to treat suicide and intentional self-injury, among other problems. It has a great deal of research supporting its usefulness for these problems. That being said, there is no proven way to predict or prevent suicide. We are very skilled at helping clients build a life where they no longer want to die, but we cannot guarantee that we can predict or prevent suicide.
Other Treatments and Treatment Targets
People with emotion dysregulation typically struggle with multiple chronic problems. We focus on solving the problems that make building a life difficult. These could include suicide or self-harm behaviors, impulsivity, any mental health diagnosis (e.g., PTSD, eating disorder, substance use, depression, anxiety, and so on), and/or serious problems in living, such as a housing situation, conflict in relationships, employment difficulties, and many others.
Not all clients will have all of these difficulties. We will work with you to identify the targets that are relevant to you, and will tailor DBT to fit your unique needs.
- CBT or Family-Based Treatment for eating disorders
- Prolonged Exposure for trauma
- Behavioral Activation for depression
- CBT or Acceptance-Based Behavior Therapy for generalized anxiety disorder
- CBT for other anxiety disorders
- Exposure and Response Prevention for OCD
- Not all clients will present with all of these difficulties. DBT is a highly tailored treatment and we will only focus on the targets that are relevant to you.
We have other, optional services, as well, including psychiatry, family meetings, parent training, mindfulness training, and others.
Treatments We Provide at the DBT Center
Our DBT programs provide coordinated care that targets emotional instability, impulsive or high-risk behaviors, relationship difficulties, and challenges with coping under stress. Treatments emphasize both change and acceptance strategies, helping people individuals build practical skills that can be applied in everyday life.
Click on each tab to expand more information about the treatments we provide.
Click on each tab to expand more information about the treatments we provide.
DBT for Adults
Our Adult DBT Treatment Program provides comprehensive, evidence-based treatment for adults ages 18 and older who struggle with emotion dysregulation and related difficulties. The program follows the full DBT model and is certified by the Linehan Board of Certification, reflecting adherence to the highest standards of care.
Treatment is structured, goal-oriented, and individualized, combining individual therapy, skills training, and as-needed support from your individual therapist between sessions. Many patients complete DBT in six-month cycles, with the option to continue for additional rounds to further strengthen and generalize skills.
DBT for Adolescents
Our Adolescent DBT Treatment Program is designed for teens ages 13–18 and their families, recognizing that lasting change is most effective when caregivers are actively involved in treatment. This program combines individual therapy for adolescents with skills training that includes at least one parent or caregiver, creating a shared language and approach for managing emotions and behavior at home.
Teens and parents are both considered active participants in learning DBT skills. The treatment emphasizes improving emotional regulation, reducing high-risk behaviors, strengthening family communication, and building more effective coping strategies.
Skills Training
Skills training is a core component of comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and focuses on teaching practical, evidence-based strategies for managing emotions, relationships, and stress. In weekly group-based classes, clients learn and practice skills that are designed to improve emotional awareness, reduce impulsive or harmful behaviors, and increase effectiveness in daily life.
Standard Outpatient Therapy
Our team of expert clinicians has extensive experience treating individuals with emotion dysregulation and related difficulties using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and other evidence-based treatment protocols.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
Standard outpatient DBT works well for most people who struggle with emotion dysregulation. However, sometimes a more intensive approach is needed.
We recommend DBT IOP in several situations, including to help avoid hospitalization for intense problems, when there is a desire for rapid gains, or as a step-down from higher levels of care such as hospitalization or residential treatment. IOP may also be a good fit when time constraints (for example, returning to school or work) or travel limitations (such as living a far distance from where treatment is available) are a concern. Our IOP includes individual therapy, skills training, and between-sessions support – all the elements of gold-standard, comprehensive DBT – condensed into just 8 weeks.
Consultation
Our expert clinicians provide consultation services for:
- Individuals who are interested in seeking care here or would like help finding appropriate services
- Family members of individuals who have BPD or emotion dysregulation
- Mental health providers who would like clinical consultation on a one-time or recurring basis
For more information, call 206-374-0109 or contact us below.
Get in Touch With Us
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1200 5th Avenue, Suite 800 Seattle, WA 98101