DBT Therapy- an Interview with Tammy Tucker, MA, LPCC

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a dynamic and powerful type of therapy that has been helping people since the late ‘80s. It’s a compassionate, skills-based approach that blends acceptance (where you are right now) with change (the steps to move forward). We sat down with Tammy Tucker, MA, LPCC, the Director of DBT at Associated Clinic of Psychology, to delve deeper into what DBT is, and its extraordinary benefits.

Visit ACP’s DBT Page

CBT vs DBT Therapy

Tucker describes DBT as a bridge between two worlds. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a highly change-oriented type of therapy. While traditional talk therapy often focuses on talking through life’s problems and focusing on why we do the things we do, CBT is very goal-oriented: how can we SOLVE this problem. 

DBT keeps that effective change engine and pairs it with mindful acceptance, influenced by Buddhist principles. In real life, that means your DBT therapist helps you notice what’s happening without judgment while also coaching you through specific steps to tackle problems differently next time. Acceptance and change—at the same time.

Tucker describes DBT with this clear metaphor: you’re driving on the road, and you find yourself in a ditch. Traditional talk therapy can help us figure out why you’re in the ditch. CBT focuses on getting out of the ditch and back on the road, and DBT focuses on finding out why we’re in the ditch, how to get out, and how to not end up in the ditch again down the road. 

The Four Components of DBT 

Tucker emphasizes that ACP practices adherent DBT. Adherent DBT is the full, evidence-based model of the practice. Non-adherent DBT means straying from the guidelines and rules of DBT, which other psychologists may practice.

Adherent DBT includes four parts that work together:

1. Individual therapy (about an hour weekly): focused on your specific goals and patterns.
2. Skills training in a group (about two hours weekly): these are classes in groups of 10 or less that focus on skills to apply in real life.
3. Between-session skills coaching: brief calls in between sessions that help you apply healthy tools when you feel like engaging in harmful behaviors in the heat of the moment.
4. Therapist consultation team: clinicians practice what they preach. Part of DBT is therapists being accountable to their clients. Therapists will hold each other accountable, both as colleagues and with their clients if they fall short on the principles that DBT practices.  The consultation team consists of all DBT therapists meeting once a week to talk through issues and brainstorm solutions to problems. 

DBT Skills Group 

ACP’s adherent DBT groups are practical, structured, and relatable. You’ll learn “core mindfulness” (existing in the present moment and grounding yourself), emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. 

DBT skills group is about learning and practicing techniques to regulate emotions. ACP keeps groups to 10 or fewer members with two facilitators so there’s space for questions, coaching, and real-world application.

DBT for Anxiety

DBT doesn’t just target intense emotions; it helps when feelings are too muted or when anxiety keeps you stuck in avoidance. You will:

• Learn to notice early body and thought cues
• Use mindfulness to come back to the present
• Apply distress-tolerance strategies so you can ride out spikes without spiraling.

DBT can reduce anxiety in conflicts by teaching how to ask for what you need—and say no—without burning bridges. Learning how to effectively communicate your boundaries and emotions with your loved ones will help improve the relationships that mean the most to you. 

DBT Games

Tucker’s teaching style is warm and down-to-earth. Similarly, the DBT providers at ACP turn skills into everyday “mini-games” that you can practice anywhere:

1. Adding mindfulness to your routine. Instead of taking 10-15 minutes to strictly meditate, work on adding mindfulness to your routine. For example, when you enjoy your morning coffee, spend 60 seconds noticing the aroma, warmth, and taste—just one thing at a time. Adding mindfulness into your daily rituals can make a big difference.

• Wise-Mind Check-In. Before making a purchase, a big decision, or sending that risky text, ask yourself: “What do I know (logic) and what do I feel (emotion)?” Tucker encourages clients to combine logic and feeling to make the wisest decision we can.
• “One-Thing” Practice. Close those extra “tabs” in your brain (we all have them!) and do exactly one task for two minutes. These playful reps strengthen attention and self-control, so the skills show up when you need them most.

DBT Treatment Plan Example

Though each plan is catered to the individual and their specific needs, if you’re entering into DBT therapy, you and your therapist create a plan together that might include:

• Targets: reduce self-harm urges, increase class/work attendance, repair a key relationship, or cut down avoidance.
• Data: a simple daily diary card to track urges, emotions, sleep, and which DBT skills you tried.
• Practice: weekly DBT skills group lessons plus individualized homework (e.g., “use Wise Mind before three tough conversations”).
• Coaching: if a crisis urge spikes on a random Wednesday night and you don’t have therapy until Friday, you can call for brief skills coaching to get through the moment safely.
• Accountability: review the diary card in session—what worked, what didn’t?
  

Who Benefits from DBT?

Wondering if DBT is right for you? Though many people can benefit from DBT, there are some patterns that DBT helps specifically treat. 

DBT can target intense emotions, emotional shutdown, rumination, impulsive behaviors, dissociation, relationship conflict, eating disorder or substance use patterns, and trauma responses. If you’ve tried traditional talk therapy and still feel stuck—you experience feelings that feel “too big”, or you disassociate from your feelings too frequently- DBT’s blend of acceptance and change may be the fit you’ve been missing.

Getting Started at ACP

ACP offers adult DBT, DBT for substance use and other addictive behaviors (DBT-SUD), and adolescent/family DBT (DBT-A). After an intake, the team helps match you to the right level of care so you’re not navigating alone. ACP runs many groups each week that can be catered to your schedule, with both in-person and telehealth groups. 

Ready to learn more or see if DBT is right for you? Reach out to ACP for an intake. You’ll leave with a clear next step—and a plan to get out of the ditch and back on the road.