DBT Therapy in Tampa, St. Petersburg & Sarasota
Struggling with overwhelming emotions, relationship conflict, or impulsive behaviors? Our DBT therapists in Tampa, Sarasota & St. Petersburg help adults and teens build emotional resilience, improve relationships, and gain control through evidence-based skills.
What Is DBT Therapy & How It Can Support Adults and Teens in Tampa, St. Petersburg & Sarasota
how does dbt work (including dbt-a) & What does dbt stand for?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy is an evidence-based mental health treatment that combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness, validation, and emotional regulation strategies. DBT is designed to help people who experience intense emotions learn how to manage distress, improve relationships, and create their desired life.
What Does DBT Treat?
At It Begins Within we offer comprehensive DBT therapy treatment for adults and DBT-A therapy for adolescents. Common concerns DBT therapy is effective for include:
Self-Harm & Suicidal Ideation – Teaches healthy alternatives for coping and reduces crisis behaviors.
Depression – Especially when unresponsive to traditional talk therapy.
Anxiety Disorders – Helps reduce emotional reactivity and anxious thought loops.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – Incorporates acceptance-based strategies and emotional regulation.
Impulsivity & Risky Behavior – Builds mindful awareness and reduces destructive habits.
Emotional Dysregulation – Develops inner balance and self-control.
Relationship Challenges – Improves communication, boundaries, and trust.
Self-Harm & Suicidal Ideation – Teaches healthy alternatives for coping and reduces crisis behaviors.
Borderline Personality Disorder – Gold standard treatment for improving mood stability, reducing self-harm, and building stronger relationships.
Our DBT Therapists in Tampa, St. Petersburg & Sarasota
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![Julia Loewi LCSW — DBT therapist in Saraota specializing in emotional regulation and anxiety treatment.]()
Julia Loewi, MSW, LCSW
Julia specializes in helping teens and adults build emotional regulation, confidence, and healthier relationship patterns using DBT skills and a strengths-based approach.
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![Melissa Zentner LMHC — DBT and DBT-A therapist in St. Petersburg, Largo and Clearwater, helping teens and adults manage big emotions and build coping skills.]()
Melissa Zentner, MS, LMHC
Melissa is a DBT and DBT-A therapist who supports teens and adults in developing practical skills for managing big emotions, strengthening communication, and calming reactivity.
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![Amanda Farris LCSW — DBT-informed therapist in St. Petersburg supporting emotional stability and relationship health]()
Amanda Farris, MS, LCSW
Amanda uses DBT-informed therapy to help individuals and couples navigate emotional intensity, relationship conflict, and patterns that feel stuck.
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![Tyler MacDonald LMHC — DBT therapist for teens and young adults in Tampa and St. Petersburg focused on emotional resilience.]()
Tyler MacDonald, MA, LMHC
Tyler works with teens and young adults using DBT skills to build emotional resilience, reduce impulsivity, and increase self-awareness.
Locations: Tampa & St. Petersburg
What Are the 4 Steps of DBT?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy is delivered in a strategic, four-stage model designed to help individuals move from crisis and emotional chaos to long-term stability and fulfillment. Each step builds on the last, creating a structured path to healing and personal growth.
The 4 modules of DBT
Stabilization
Focuses on reducing life-threatening behaviors like self-harm, suicidal ideation, or emotional outbursts using distress tolerance and mindfulness skills.
Emotional Processing
Helps you understand and manage painful emotions and past trauma through emotional regulation and acceptance-based techniques.
Skill Integration
Builds healthy relationships, strengthens self-esteem, and enhances daily functioning with interpersonal effectiveness skills.
Life Fulfillment
Supports long-term goals and personal growth—helping you create a life that feels meaningful, purposeful, and emotionally balanced.
The Four Core DBT Skills
DBT is a comprehensive and structured form of therapy that includes several key components designed to help adults and teenagers in manage emotions, cope with distress, and improve relationships. The key aspects of DBT are:
Mindfulness - Anchors you in the present moment to reduce reactivity and emotional overwhelm.
Distress Tolerance - Helps you survive crises without harmful behaviors.
Emotion Regulation - Teaches how to identify, manage, and shift difficult emotions.
Interpersonal Effectiveness - Builds assertiveness, boundary-setting, and communication skills.
How Our DBT Therapists in Tampa, Sarasota & St. Pete Help You Heal
We provide flexible and comprehensive DBT therapy treatment options, including:
DBT-A Therapy for Teens
Helps adolescents (ages 13–17) manage mood swings, impulsivity, and social conflict. Parent coaching included.
Individual DBT Therapy
Private sessions to personalize skills and target deep emotional pain.
DBT Skills Training Groups
Structured group sessions to practice and reinforce the four core DBT skills.
Phone Coaching Access
Between-session coaching to help apply DBT skills in the moment.
Support for Tweens & Teens Through DBT-A in Tampa, St. Petersburg & Sarasota Florida
Many of the individuals who benefit most from DBT are adolescents navigating intense emotions, impulsive behavior, or social conflict. At It Begins Within, we offer DBT-A (Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Adolescents) as part of our specialized teen therapy services.
This approach is designed to help teens:
Improve emotion regulation and reduce outbursts
Build healthy coping strategies for anxiety, depression, and stress
Strengthen communication skills and peer relationships
Increase confidence, self-awareness, and resilience
Learn more about our Teen Therapy Services or schedule a free consultation
Is DBT Right for You?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is not just for individuals in crisis—it's for anyone who feels emotionally stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected from their sense of self. Whether you're navigating a mental health diagnosis or simply looking to live more mindfully and intentionally, DBT can provide the tools to help you move forward.
DBT may be a strong fit if you
Struggle with intense emotions or feel emotionally overwhelmed — including sensitivity, reactivity, or difficulty calming down
Experience relationship challenges like conflict, poor boundaries, or fear of abandonment
Have a history of trauma, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts, and want to build safer, more effective coping skills
Feel stuck in anxiety, depression, or chronic stress, especially if talk therapy hasn’t helped in the past
DBT offers more than emotional relief—it’s a structured, skills-based approach for building resilience, self-awareness, and lasting change.
Schedule Free Consultation for DBT Near Me
Whether you’re seeking DBT-A therapy for a teen, to develop skills for emotional regulation, or a structured program, we’re here to help. We proudly serve clients across Tampa, St. Petersburg, Pinellas, and Hillsborough counties.