Provider Spotlight

Dr. Maier is a clinical psychologist specializing in DBT for adolescents and adults. He received his doctorate in psychology from Rutgers University and completed specialized training at Mount Sinai’s Mood and Personality lab, where he researched new treatments for Borderline Personality Disorder. Dr. Maier completed his predoctoral internship at the James J. Peters VA in the Bronx, on the DBT team serving both outpatient clients and individuals in substance use treatment. He brings extensive expertise in emotion dysregulation, suicidality, self-harm, trauma, and mood and anxiety disorders. Dr. Maier is also trained in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) and works with distressed couples experiencing relationship difficulties. His approach emphasizes collaboration, self-compassion, strengths-based work, and building a life that reflects each client’s values.

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What Is DBT?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based treatment developed at the University of Washington by Marsha Linehan, PhD, ABPP, for individuals who have difficulty managing intense emotions. DBT was originally created for those experiencing chronic suicidality and Borderline Personality Disorder, and research consistently shows it works. Today, DBT is recognized as one of the most effective treatments for emotion dysregulation, self-harm, relationship difficulties, trauma, depression, and anxiety.

The therapy focuses on four core skill areas: emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness. DBT provides practical tools for managing intense emotions, navigating interpersonal conflict, tolerating distress without making things worse, and building a life that feels meaningful and worth living. DBT balances acceptance, meeting yourself where you are with compassion, with change-oriented strategies that help reduce suffering and increase emotional flexibility.

Our Approach to DBT Treatment

At EBTCS, we provide comprehensive, adherent DBT carefully designed to meet your individual needs. Our DBT program is certified by the DBT-Linehan Board of Certification, a rigorous process that establishes that our program closely follows the treatment manual, the principles set forth by Dr. Linehan, and the protocols used in DBT research. This certification demonstrates that we provide gold-standard, comprehensive DBT. We were one of the first programs in the nation to receive this prestigious certification.

We provide flexible, very tailored treatment that is carefully designed for you. This means we can provide the entire comprehensive DBT treatment package, or we can provide specific components that we believe will be most helpful to you based on your goals and clinical needs. We also offer optional services, including psychiatry, family meetings, parent training, mindfulness training, and others to maximize your treatment outcomes.

Our standard comprehensive DBT program includes:

  • Weekly individual therapy with Dr. Maier
  • Weekly skills training to learn and practice emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness skills
  • Phone consultation for support between sessions
  • Daily diary cards to track emotions, urges, and skills use
  • Therapist attendance in a weekly DBT team meeting to ensure coordinated, high-quality care

DBT for Adolescents and Adults

DBT at our Bellingham location serves both adolescents (ages 13+) and adults experiencing emotion dysregulation and related concerns. Dr. Maier has significant experience working with both age groups and adapts treatment to meet developmental needs while maintaining fidelity to the DBT model.

For adolescents, DBT addresses the unique challenges of navigating intense emotions during a critical developmental period, often involving family members in treatment to build support and reduce conflict at home. For adults, DBT provides structured support for individuals who may have struggled with emotion dysregulation, self-harm, or relationship difficulties for years and are ready to build stability, safety, and a more meaningful life.

Whether you are a teen struggling with overwhelming emotions or an adult seeking effective treatment after years of distress, DBT in Bellingham offers accessible, evidence-based care close to home.

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What We Treat with DBT in Bellingham, WA

Emotion Dysregulation & Borderline Personality Disorder

Emotion dysregulation involves experiencing emotions that feel overwhelming, unpredictable, or difficult to manage. For some individuals, this pattern meets criteria for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), a condition characterized by intense and rapidly shifting emotions, unstable relationships, impulsivity, identity confusion, and chronic feelings of emptiness. DBT was originally developed specifically for BPD and remains the gold-standard treatment. Problems with emotion regulation might take a variety of forms, such as:

  • 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
  • Other impulsivity related to emotions
  • Problems with anger, shame, or low mood
  • Problems feeling numb or detached from your emotions

If you experience mood swings that feel uncontrollable, relationship patterns that are chaotic or painful, or a sense that your emotions are running your life, DBT can help. Treatment focuses on building emotional stability, improving relationship functioning, and developing a more coherent sense of self.

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Self-Harm, Suicidality, and Crisis Behaviors

Self-injury, suicidal thoughts, and other life-threatening or crisis behaviors are often attempts to manage unbearable emotional pain. DBT addresses these patterns directly by helping individuals understand the function of these behaviors, build safety, and develop healthier alternatives for managing distress.

Treatment is structured, collaborative, and focused on reducing harm while building reasons for living. Problems that DBT effectively treats include:

  • Presence of suicidal ideation and/or self-harm behaviors
  • Other impulsivity related to emotions

Dr. Maier has significant experience working with individuals experiencing suicidality and self-harm, including his work at the James J. Peters VA DBT team in both outpatient and substance use settings. We see clients that have been turned down by other centers. We often accept individuals who are suicidal, engage in self-injurious behavior, and/or who have been told they need more intensive treatment. DBT helps clients move from crisis to stability, from surviving to building a life that feels worth living.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with self-harm or suicidal thoughts, DBT offers evidence-based support that prioritizes safety, validation, and meaningful change.

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Trauma, Mood, and Anxiety Disorders

DBT is highly effective for individuals experiencing trauma, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other mood-related concerns, particularly when these conditions involve emotion dysregulation. Many people seeking DBT have experienced trauma or chronic stress that has shaped their emotional responses and coping patterns.

Dr. Maier is trained in evidence-based approaches for anxiety, trauma/PTSD, and mood disorders, and integrates these approaches within a DBT framework. Within DBT, we provide a wide variety of evidence-based treatments, including CBT and other interventions tailored to your specific problems. For example, within DBT you might receive CBT for insomnia, exposure therapy for anxiety, or behavioral activation for depression.

DBT skills, particularly mindfulness, distress tolerance, and emotion regulation, support emotional well-being across diagnoses by helping individuals respond to distress with greater flexibility, reduce avoidance, and increase engagement in meaningful activities.

Whether you are experiencing trauma-related symptoms, chronic anxiety, depression, or a combination of concerns, DBT provides practical tools and compassionate support for building a more stable, fulfilling life.

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What to Expect at Our Bellingham DBT Office

anxiety therapy bellingham

Our Bellingham office is designed to be a calm, welcoming space where you can slow down, take a breath, and feel supported from the moment you arrive. When you come in for your first appointment, you’ll be greeted in a quiet, comfortable environment and given time to settle in. Sessions are collaborative and paced with your comfort in mind—there is no pressure to share more than you are ready for. Your therapist will focus on understanding your concerns, answering questions, and helping you feel safe and supported as you begin therapy. Our office space reflects this approach. The interior is intentionally simple, warm, and uncluttered to reduce sensory overload and support nervous system regulation. Whether you’re seeking anxiety therapy, trauma-informed care, or support for related concerns, our goal is to make your experience as approachable, predictable, and supportive as possible.

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EBTCS Bellingham Office

1140 10th Street
Suite 217
Bellingham, WA 98225