Dialectical Behavior Therapy in Hillsboro, OR to Manage Emotions and Build Healthier Relationships
Dialectical Behavior Therapy in Hillsboro, OR offers practical support for managing intense emotions, navigating relationship challenges, and developing healthier coping skills. When emotions feel overwhelming, even everyday situations can become difficult to manage.
At Still Waters Counseling, our clinical team includes providers who incorporate DBT strategies into individual counseling. We also offer an in-person DBT Skills Group for Teens ages 13–18 in Hillsboro.
Whether you’re looking for a therapist who uses DBT techniques or exploring skills-based support for your teenager, our team can help you identify available options that fit your needs.
What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, is an evidence-based form of psychotherapy that helps people manage intense emotions, navigate difficult situations, and develop healthier relationships.
DBT combines behavioral strategies with mindfulness and acceptance-based techniques. It teaches practical skills that can help people respond more intentionally when emotions, stress, or interpersonal challenges become overwhelming.
The central idea behind DBT is that acceptance and change can happen together.
Acceptance means acknowledging your thoughts, emotions, and experiences without immediately judging yourself for having them. Change means learning new ways to respond when familiar patterns interfere with your well-being.
For example, you can recognize that feeling angry during a disagreement is understandable while also learning how to communicate your needs without escalating the conflict.
DBT does not require you to suppress difficult emotions or avoid uncomfortable experiences. Instead, it helps you build the skills to navigate those experiences more effectively.
At Still Waters Counseling, clinicians may incorporate DBT techniques into individualized treatment depending on your concerns and goals.
What Conditions Can DBT Therapy Help With?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy is especially associated with difficulties involving emotional regulation, distress tolerance, impulsive behavior, and relationships.
DBT and DBT-informed approaches may be appropriate for several concerns, although the type and intensity of treatment should be based on an individual’s clinical needs.
Emotional Dysregulation & Intense Feelings
Some people experience emotions that become overwhelming quickly or remain intense long after a difficult situation has passed.
Anger, sadness, fear, frustration, or shame may interfere with relationships, concentration, or everyday decisions.
DBT helps individuals identify emotional triggers, understand how emotions develop, and practice strategies for responding with greater awareness.
The goal is not to stop feeling emotions. It is to develop a healthier relationship with them.
Anxiety & Overwhelming Stress
Persistent worry, uncertainty, and emotional tension can make it difficult to feel grounded.
DBT skills such as mindfulness and distress tolerance may help you recognize anxious reactions and manage uncomfortable feelings without immediately turning to avoidance or impulsive coping behaviors.
For some individuals, DBT-informed skills can complement other therapeutic approaches.
If anxiety is your primary concern, explore our anxiety therapy in Oregon.
Depression & Emotional Distress
Depression can affect motivation, energy, relationships, and how you respond to everyday challenges.
When depression is accompanied by intense emotional reactions, interpersonal difficulties, or unhelpful coping patterns, DBT-informed strategies may help improve emotional awareness and coping.
Your therapist can help determine whether DBT techniques, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or another approach is most appropriate for your symptoms and treatment goals.
Relationship & Communication Difficulties
Strong emotions can make disagreements harder to navigate, particularly when you feel misunderstood, rejected, or unable to communicate your needs.
DBT includes interpersonal effectiveness skills that help people practice setting boundaries, expressing concerns, and managing conflict while respecting themselves and others.
These skills may be especially valuable for individuals who experience recurring relationship tension or have difficulty responding calmly during emotional conversations.
Impulsive Reactions & Unhelpful Coping Patterns
When emotions become intense, it can be tempting to respond immediately in an effort to escape discomfort.
Impulsive reactions may include saying something hurtful, withdrawing from important relationships, making rushed decisions, or relying on coping behaviors that create further difficulties.
DBT helps people recognize what happens before these reactions and practice more intentional alternatives.
Distress tolerance skills can be particularly useful when immediate relief feels more important than long-term well-being.
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
DBT was originally developed to treat individuals with borderline personality disorder and has a strong evidence base for comprehensive treatment of BPD-related difficulties.
Specialized DBT treatment may address emotional instability, impulsivity, relationship challenges, and behaviors that affect safety or quality of life.
However, DBT-informed counseling and DBT skills groups are not equivalent to a comprehensive DBT program.
If you are seeking specialized DBT treatment for BPD, it is important to confirm that the provider offers the appropriate treatment model for your needs.
The Four Core Skills of Dialectical Behavior Therapy
DBT focuses on four core areas of skill development. These strategies can help people respond more effectively to challenging emotions and everyday situations.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness means paying attention to your present experience with awareness and without immediate judgment.
It can help you notice thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations before reacting automatically.
Distress Tolerance
Distress tolerance skills help you navigate difficult moments when a problem cannot be solved immediately.
The focus is on getting through distress without making the situation worse.
Emotion Regulation
Emotion regulation involves recognizing emotions, understanding what influences them, and developing strategies for responding effectively.
It can help you manage emotional vulnerability and make decisions that better reflect your goals.
Interpersonal Effectiveness
Interpersonal effectiveness focuses on communication, boundaries, relationships, and self-respect.
These skills can help you express your needs, navigate disagreements, and maintain healthier connections with others.
Interested in structured skills training for a teenager? Learn more about our DBT Skills Group for Teens in Hillsboro.
DBT vs. CBT: What's the Difference?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) are related evidence-based approaches, but they emphasize different strategies.
CBT focuses on the relationships between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It often helps clients recognize unhelpful thinking patterns, examine assumptions, and develop more effective behavioral responses. |
DBT builds on cognitive-behavioral principles while placing additional emphasis on accepting difficult emotions, tolerating distress, practicing mindfulness, and improving interpersonal skills. |
For example, someone who fears rejection may benefit from CBT techniques that help them examine negative assumptions about themselves.
DBT skills may help that same person manage the emotional intensity of perceived rejection and communicate their needs more effectively.
Both approaches can be valuable, and some Still Waters clinicians incorporate elements of CBT and DBT into individualized counseling.
Your therapist can help determine which strategies are suitable for your particular concerns rather than assuming one approach is better for everyone.
Meet Our DBT-Informed Clinicians in Hillsboro, OR
Looking for a DBT therapist in Hillsboro, Oregon?
At Still Waters Counseling, several clinicians incorporate DBT strategies into individualized therapy. Each brings different areas of experience, allowing clients to explore support suited to their goals, preferences, and treatment needs.
Jaeden Littleton
DBT, CBT & Person-Centered Therapy | Teletherapy
Jaeden Littleton is a Professional Counselor Associate who incorporates DBT, CBT, and person-centered approaches into counseling.
Jaeden works with concerns including anxiety, ADHD, identity exploration, and life transitions, with particular experience supporting LGBTQ+ clients and college students.
Jaeden’s published profile currently lists teletherapy as the available appointment format.
Lilly Perez
DBT & CBT | In-Person and Teletherapy
Lilly Perez incorporates Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy into client-centered counseling.
Her approach emphasizes practical coping skills, emotional awareness, relationships, and individualized support.
She works with children, adolescents, and adults experiencing concerns such as anxiety, depression, stress, and life transitions. Her profile lists in-person and teletherapy options, and identifies her clinical supervisor.
Emmy Oo
DBT-Informed Strategies, CBT & Mindfulness | In-Person and Teletherapy
Emmy Oo is a counseling intern who draws on DBT and CBT techniques alongside mindfulness, narrative, and somatic approaches.
Her areas of interest include trauma-related concerns, neurodivergence, LGBTQ+ experiences, identity exploration, and relationship difficulties.
Emmy works with individuals over age 12 and other client arrangements described in her professional profile. Her work is provided under clinical supervision.
Finding the Right Clinician
Not every therapist uses DBT in the same way, and individual counseling that includes DBT skills is not necessarily comprehensive DBT treatment.
Our team can help you explore clinician availability, age eligibility, appointment formats, insurance participation, and whether a particular approach is suitable for your needs.
Request an Appointment With Our Counseling TeamDBT Skills Group for Teens in Hillsboro, OR
Still Waters Counseling offers a dedicated group for teenagers who want to develop practical emotional and interpersonal skills.
Our DBT Skills Group for Teens serves adolescents ages 13–18 and takes place in person in Hillsboro.
The group focuses on helping teenagers better understand emotions, manage stressful moments, communicate effectively, and apply DBT strategies to real-life situations.
Group facilitators include:
These clinicians are listed as group facilitators; that does not necessarily mean each provides individual DBT treatment.
The group has its own eligibility requirements, schedule, and enrollment process. Parents and caregivers should confirm current availability before making plans.
For full details, visit the dedicated DBT Skills Group for Teens page.
What to Expect When Starting DBT-Informed Counseling
Starting therapy can feel uncertain, especially if you are unsure which therapeutic approach is best for you.
At Still Waters Counseling, the process begins with understanding your individual needs.
Discuss Your Concerns
Your initial conversations may explore what you are experiencing, including emotional overwhelm, anxiety, relationship difficulties, impulsive reactions, or challenges managing distress.
You can also share your preferences and what you hope to achieve through counseling.
Develop a Personalized Treatment Approach
Your clinician considers your goals, circumstances, and clinical needs when determining which strategies may be helpful.
If DBT techniques are appropriate, they may be integrated into your broader counseling plan.
For teenagers interested in structured group skills training, the team can discuss the separate DBT group.
Practice Skills and Review Progress
When DBT-informed strategies are part of your treatment, you may work on recognizing emotional patterns, learning coping techniques, or practicing more effective communication.
Your therapist can help you review what works, explore challenges, and adapt strategies as treatment progresses.
The goal is to build skills that support meaningful change in everyday life.
DBT Therapy in Hillsboro, OR, and Online Counseling Options
Still Waters Counseling provides in-person mental health services at our Hillsboro office and teletherapy options for eligible clients throughout Oregon.
Our Hillsboro Office
1915 NE Stucki Ave, Suite 305
Hillsboro, OR 97006
Our office serves people seeking mental health support in Hillsboro and nearby Washington County communities, including Beaverton, Aloha, Forest Grove, and Tigard.
Insurance and Payment Options for DBT Counseling
Insurance may cover psychotherapy sessions in which a clinician incorporates DBT techniques, depending on your plan and provider.
Still Waters Counseling works with several insurers, including Aetna, Cigna/Evernorth, Regence, MODA, UnitedHealthcare, Providence, and others.
However, insurance benefits can vary significantly. Coverage for individual counseling may differ from coverage for a DBT skills group, and not every clinician participates in every insurance network.
Before scheduling, we recommend confirming your benefits, any applicable copay or deductible, and whether the specific provider or service is covered.
Still Waters also offers discounted or sliding-scale fees for qualifying clients.
Visit our insurance and payment information page to explore your options.
Frequently Asked Questions About DBT Therapy in Hillsboro
Does Still Waters Counseling offer DBT therapy in Hillsboro, OR?
Yes. Still Waters Counseling has clinicians who incorporate Dialectical Behavior Therapy strategies into individual counseling, including Jaeden Littleton, Lilly Perez, and Emmy Oo. The practice also offers an in-person DBT Skills Group for Teens ages 13–18 in Hillsboro. Contact the office to confirm which services and clinicians are currently available.
Who provides DBT-informed individual therapy at Still Waters?
Jaeden Littleton, Lilly Perez, and Emmy Oo list DBT among the approaches or techniques used in their counseling work. Their clinical interests, ages served, and appointment formats differ. The office can help you explore an appropriate clinician based on your needs.
What is the difference between DBT and CBT?
CBT focuses on relationships among thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, often helping people examine unhelpful interpretations and develop more effective responses. DBT includes cognitive-behavioral principles but gives additional emphasis to acceptance, mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Is DBT only for people with borderline personality disorder?
No. DBT was originally developed for borderline personality disorder, but DBT skills are also used in other clinical contexts involving emotional regulation, distress, and interpersonal challenges. However, DBT-informed counseling is not the same as a comprehensive DBT program, and specialized treatment needs should be discussed with an appropriate clinician.
Does Still Waters offer DBT skills training for teenagers?
Yes. Still Waters Counseling offers an in-person DBT Skills Group for Teens ages 13–18 in Hillsboro. The group focuses on practical skills for managing emotions, tolerating distress, practicing mindfulness, and improving communication. Parents and caregivers can review the group page and ask about current enrollment.
Can I receive DBT-informed therapy online in Oregon?
Potentially. Some Still Waters clinicians who incorporate DBT into their counseling work offer teletherapy. Online appointment availability depends on the clinician, eligibility, and whether virtual treatment is appropriate for your concerns.
Does insurance cover DBT therapy?
Many insurance plans include benefits for outpatient mental health counseling. If your clinician incorporates DBT techniques into psychotherapy, coverage may apply based on your policy and the clinician's network participation. Coverage for a separate DBT skills group may differ, so benefit verification is recommended.
Find DBT-Informed Counseling in Hillsboro, Oregon
You don’t have to navigate overwhelming emotions, recurring relationship difficulties, or stressful situations without support.
At Still Waters Counseling, our team helps clients explore individualized care that can include Dialectical Behavior Therapy strategies, as well as structured DBT skills training for eligible teenagers.
Whether you’re looking for an individual counselor who incorporates DBT or a skills-based group for your teen, we’re here to help you understand your options.