Dialectical Behavior Therapies Center

09/29/2026

Forgiveness can be hard. But carrying a ton of anger around is harder

To see a practical example of HEART in use, read Daphnée's latest blog https://www.radicallyopen.net/blog/zoloft-grief-and-gratitude-learning-to-forgive-using-flexible-mind-has-heart/

Plus for the full skill, see Lesson 29, Learning to Forgeive, page 506 of the Skills Manual

09/22/2026

hen someone we care about is struggling, it’s natural to want to make things better. We offer advice, suggest solutions, or point out what they could do differently. Maybe we even point out how they could have made different decisions. That's particularly unhelpful, and we often do it out of frustration and wanting the best for the people we love. But don't do that!! The last thing they need to hear is how it's all their fault.

Sometimes the person isn’t looking for an answer at all. They just want to feel heard. Before jumping in, try asking: “Do you want help figuring this out, or would you rather I just listen?”

That one question can prevent frustration and create a moment of real connection. It says, I care about what you need. I'm focusing on what you need and want, not what I think.

What helps you feel supported when you’re having a difficult time?

08/05/2026

Have you ever felt like nothing you do seems to get through to your teen or young adult? Does general parenting advice not fit for your teen? does your teen or young adult have any of the following characteristics:
Is highly perfectionistic or overly self-controlled
Appears emotionally inhibited or shut down
Struggles with anxiety, depression, or an eating disorder
Has difficulty making or maintaining close relationships
Often seems lonely, isolated, or socially disconnected

We’re excited to offer this psychoeducational class for parents seeking a better understanding of overcontrol and practical strategies for helping their overcontrolled teens and young adults. This class will help you understand how you can best support their developing flexibility and connections.You’ll also learn many of the same skills taught in RO DBT skills classes, allowing you to better support your teen’s growth while strengthening your relationship.

What You’ll Learn
What overcontrol is and how it develops
How family interactions can unintentionally reinforce overcontrolled behaviors
Communication strategies that increase openness and trust
Validation skills that are especially effective with overcontrolled individuals
Practical ways to support healthy change at home

How This Parent Group is Different
Focuses on understanding both your teen’s experiences and your own responses
Teaches practical, evidence-based skills you can use immediately
Designed to strengthen connection and reduce conflict within the family

Led by an experienced RO DBT clinician in a supportive small-group setting

Class Details
Format: 8-week psychoeducational series
Sessions: 90-minute virtual meetings
Group Size: Small group to encourage discussion and questions
Facilitator: David Martinez, LCSW
When: Starting September 28, 2026 (Virtual) 6:00 CT
Cost: $75 per session or $525 for the full series

This is a psychoeducational class and is not covered by insurance.
Space Is Limited

To Register or Learn More
Complete the appointment request form at www.houstondbtcenter.com and specify “RO Parent Class,” or call 713-973-2800 to register or request additional information.

07/31/2026

Sometimes we can forget that there are normal emotions in everyone's life that are painful. When you've been depressed, it can be scary to feel sad, for example. And that's part of being human. We need our emotions, even the ones that aren't so pleasant.

07/08/2026

The DBT Center is starting a new DBT Skills group:

Living Authentically: DBT Skills for LGBTQ+ Wellness

A DBT skills group for LGBTQ+ adults who want to strengthen emotion regulation, build steadier relationships, and develop coping skills in an affirming, supportive space.

LGBTQ+ people often carry stressors that others may not see, including stigma, rejection, internalized shame, family conflict, and barriers to affirming care. This group does not treat identity as a problem to fix. It treats identity as a source of resilience, meaning, and connection, and builds skills from there.

Participants learn the four core areas of DBT: mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, with examples drawn from LGBTQ+ lived experience. Sessions may cover coping with invalidation, managing minority stress, setting boundaries with family or community, navigating disclosure decisions, building chosen family, and strengthening self-respect. The approach is practical and skills-focused, giving you tools to move through painful moments while building a life that feels more authentic, connected, and worth living.

The group will be in person at 1348 Heights Blvd, led by Andrew Robinson, LMSW. Please call us at 713-973-2800 if you'd like to learn more.

06/23/2026

https://karynhallphd.substack.com/p/why-asking-for-help-feels-like-admitting?r=8o9ir

06/16/2026

https://open.substack.com/pub/karynhallphd/p/why-rest-feels-like-a-problem-you?r=8o9ir&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Congratulations on Your Day Off. Now Stop Working.

05/25/2026

Sometimes apologies are not really about being in the wrong, but about lack of confidence and more. Does this describe you?

05/19/2026

https://karynhallphd.substack.com/p/the-mask-of-competence-when-looking

Looking like you've got it all together? Oh the energy that takes!

05/17/2026