DBT for Trauma
Trauma can show up as more than memories. For some people, the hardest part is the emotional fallout that follows, feeling constantly on edge, reacting intensely, shutting down, or struggling to stay grounded when something reminds you of what happened. If you are searching for DBT for trauma, Front Range Treatment Center offers a structured, research-backed approach that combines skills support with proven trauma treatment.
At FRTC, DBT for trauma is delivered through DBT-PE, which combines Dialectical Behavior Therapy with Prolonged Exposure therapy. This approach is designed for people who need more stability and skills before doing direct trauma work, and who benefit from ongoing support after trauma symptoms begin to shift.
The goal is simple. We help you build stability first, address trauma safely, and strengthen the skills that keep progress steady over time.
How Do I Know if DBT Is the Right Fit for Trauma?
DBT-PE is designed for people who need more support than a standard trauma-focused CBT approach alone. This often includes clients dealing with complex trauma, long-standing PTSD, or trauma symptoms paired with intense emotional reactions.
DBT for trauma may be a strong fit if trauma affects the way you regulate emotions, cope under stress, or manage anxiety alongside trauma responses in daily life. It can also be appropriate when past attempts at trauma therapy felt overwhelming or when symptoms are tied to patterns that need skills work before trauma processing begins.
You do not need to have everything figured out before reaching out. A consultation helps clarify what you are experiencing and whether DBT-PE is the most appropriate path.
DBT for trauma is often a fit when you are experiencing:
• Complex trauma or chronic PTSD that has built up over time.
• Trauma linked to childhood abuse, neglect, or long-term invalidation.
• Emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, or difficulty returning to baseline once overwhelmed.
What DBT for Trauma Includes at FRTC
DBT-PE is a comprehensive treatment model that integrates several components. The purpose is to support you through trauma work without relying on avoidance or unsafe coping, and to build the foundation you need so trauma therapy is more tolerable and effective.
Treatment includes individual DBT therapy and DBT skills classes. Clients also have access to DBT phone coaching, which allows you to reach your therapist between sessions for targeted support when skills need reinforcement. Trauma processing is integrated through structured Prolonged Exposure sessions once readiness milestones are met.
The overall experience is organized and intentional. You know what you are working on, why it matters, and how each phase supports the next.
DBT-PE at FRTC may include:
• Weekly individual DBT therapy focused on skills and stabilization
• DBT skills classes and structured practice between sessions
• Prolonged Exposure sessions integrated once readiness milestones are met
How DBT-PE Works
DBT-PE follows a specific sequence. It begins with DBT because many clients need skills to manage emotion and distress before doing direct trauma processing. Once stability is established, Prolonged Exposure is introduced in a structured way. After exposure work, DBT continues to support consolidation and long-term stability.
Prolonged Exposure sessions are typically longer than standard therapy appointments. The extended format allows time for activation and then a safe return to baseline, along with processing and planning for between-session practice.
This order is not arbitrary. It is built to reduce risk, increase tolerance, and improve outcomes for people who are more vulnerable to overwhelm during trauma work.
Why DBT Comes Before Trauma Treatment
Some people can go straight into trauma-focused CBT and do well, but when trauma is paired with emotional reactivity, impulsive coping, or relationship instability, beginning trauma processing too early can increase distress and make it harder to stay engaged in treatment.
DBT helps strengthen the skills that make trauma therapy safer. Clients learn how to regulate emotion, tolerate distress, use mindfulness to stay grounded, and reduce behaviors that might derail treatment. This creates the stability needed to begin exposure work in a way that feels manageable.
The goal is not to delay trauma treatment. It is to set you up for success, so when you do address trauma directly, you have the tools to stay with the process.
What Progress Can Look Like
DBT for trauma is about more than reducing flashbacks or intrusive thoughts. It also targets the patterns trauma can create, like constant vigilance, emotional shutdown, or feeling unable to calm down once activated.
As treatment progresses, many clients notice that triggers feel less intense and less controlling. Emotions become more predictable. Relationships feel less reactive. Daily life becomes easier to manage because coping stops being based on survival mode.
Clients often report changes like:
• Reduced trauma symptoms and less avoidance of reminders
• Greater emotional stability and improved distress tolerance
• Stronger relationships and a clearer sense of safety in daily life
Serving Clients Across the Denver Area
Front Range Treatment Center is located in the Denver Tech Center and serves clients across the Denver metro area. We also offer secure online services across Colorado when virtual DBT sessions are the most practical option.
If you are looking for DBT for trauma in Denver and want a structured program that combines skills with proven trauma treatment, we are here to help. A consultation is a straightforward first step. You can ask questions, share what you have been dealing with, and get clarity on whether DBT-PE is the right fit.
DBT for Trauma: Structured, Intentional, Effective
This approach is intentionally sequenced. Trauma work requires safety and skill. DBT-PE is designed to provide both, so treatment is more sustainable and progress is more likely to hold.
Recovery is not about forcing yourself through memories without support. It is about building capacity, taking the work in stages, and changing the way trauma shows up in your life over time.
Ready to Learn More About DBT for Trauma?
We offer free phone consultations so you can learn more about DBT-PE, ask questions, and understand what treatment could look like.
Call (720) 390-6932 to get started. If you call outside business hours, leave a voicemail and we will return your call promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is DBT for trauma?
DBT for trauma at Front Range Treatment Center refers to DBT-PE, a structured treatment model that combines Dialectical Behavior Therapy with Prolonged Exposure therapy. This approach is used when trauma symptoms are present alongside difficulties with emotional regulation, distress tolerance, or behavioral stability. Rather than beginning trauma processing immediately, DBT-PE first focuses on helping clients build skills that allow them to manage strong emotions safely. Once specific readiness milestones are met, Prolonged Exposure is introduced in a careful, supported way. DBT then continues after trauma processing to help consolidate progress and support long-term stability. This staged approach helps reduce the risk of overwhelm and improves outcomes for people who need more than trauma-focused CBT alone.
How is DBT-PE different from CBT for trauma?
All of our approaches to trauma treatment at FRTC involve a form CBT for trauma called Prolonged Exposure. Some clients find the best success with receiving both DBT and PE together.
CBT-PE for trauma is often appropriate when PTSD symptoms are the primary concern and the client is able to tolerate exposure work without additional skills support. DBT-PE is used when trauma is combined with emotional reactivity, impulsive coping, or difficulty returning to baseline once distressed. DBT-PE adds a skills-based foundation before trauma work begins and continues skills support afterward. This makes it especially helpful for people with complex trauma or long-standing patterns that interfere with standard trauma therapy. Neither approach is better than the other. The difference is about fit, not severity.
Who is DBT for trauma best suited for?
DBT for trauma is best suited for individuals whose trauma symptoms are part of a broader pattern that includes emotional dysregulation, intense reactions, or difficulty staying stable under stress. This often includes people with complex trauma, childhood trauma, or trauma paired with personality features that affect coping and relationships. DBT-PE may also be appropriate for individuals who tried trauma therapy in the past and found it overwhelming or difficult to sustain. The program is designed for people who need skills to stay grounded before trauma processing begins. During a consultation, clinicians assess whether DBT-PE is the best fit based on symptoms, history, and current functioning.
Why does DBT come before trauma treatment?
Beginning trauma treatment (or trauma exposure) without adequate skills can increase distress and lead to dropout or worsening symptoms for some people. DBT comes first in DBT-PE because it helps clients build emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness skills that make trauma work safer and more sustainable. These skills reduce the likelihood of unsafe coping behaviors and help clients remain engaged when exposure work becomes challenging. The goal is not to delay trauma treatment, but to prepare clients so they can complete it successfully. This sequence is especially important for individuals with complex trauma or difficulty calming down once emotions are activated.
What happens during the Prolonged Exposure phase in DBT-PE?
During the Prolonged Exposure phase, clients work with a trauma therapist in structured sessions that are typically longer than standard therapy appointments. These sessions involve revisiting trauma memories and gradually facing avoided situations in a controlled, supportive environment. Exposure is introduced gradually and collaboratively, with careful attention to pacing and emotional safety. Clients are never forced to move faster than they are ready. The purpose of exposure is to help the brain learn that trauma-related memories and reminders are no longer dangerous. Over time, fear responses decrease, avoidance reduces, and trauma symptoms become less disruptive. We think the research is clear: all of the most effective forms of trauma treatment involve some method of exposure to specific memories and situations.
How long does DBT for trauma usually take?
The length of DBT for trauma varies depending on individual needs and progress. DBT itself is a longer-term treatment, with adult programs typically lasting around twelve months. The Prolonged Exposure phase is introduced after readiness milestones are met and continues for a defined period within the larger DBT structure. Some clients move into exposure earlier, while others take more time to build skills. The overall focus is on completing treatment safely and effectively rather than rushing the process. Your therapist will discuss expectations, pacing, and timelines during treatment planning and adjust as needed over time.
Can DBT for trauma help with complex or childhood trauma?
Yes. DBT-PE is often particularly helpful for people with complex trauma or trauma rooted in childhood experiences such as abuse, neglect, or chronic invalidation. These experiences can shape emotional regulation patterns, coping behaviors, and relationships long before trauma is consciously identified. DBT helps address these patterns directly by teaching skills for managing emotions and distress. Once stability improves, Prolonged Exposure helps process trauma memories that continue to drive symptoms. This combination allows clients to address both the impact of trauma and the long-standing patterns it created, rather than focusing on memories alone.
What makes DBT for trauma at FRTC different?
At Front Range Treatment Center, DBT for trauma is delivered by clinicians experienced in both DBT and trauma-focused treatment. The program follows a clear, research-backed structure and does not rely on unproven or loosely defined methods. DBT-PE is implemented intentionally, with attention to readiness, safety, and long-term outcomes. Clients know what stage of treatment they are in and why each step matters. This clarity helps reduce confusion and builds trust in the process. Many clients come to FRTC after other approaches felt ineffective or overwhelming and find that the structured, skills-based nature of DBT-PE finally allows them to make sustained progress.
What about EMDR for trauma?
The American Psychological Associations’s Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of PTSD recommends that, when treating PTSD, clinicians use one of the following types of trauma treatment.
- cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- cognitive processing therapy (CPT)
- cognitive therapy (CT)
- prolonged exposure therapy (PE)
At FRTC, we primarily rely on prolonged exposure therapy, because it has been well-studied when paired with DBT. However, we also use other cognitive-behavioral treatments when addressing trauma.
Why isn’t EMDR on this list? EMDR is a form of exposure, plus the use of a light-box device. However, the use of the light-box is controversial, and we don’t believe it is necessary.
Prolonged Exposure has strong, unambiguous research support. In contrast, the evidence for EMDR suggests “EMDR appears to be no more effective than other exposure techniques, and… the eye movements integral to the treatment, and to its name, are unnecessary.”
According to the American Psychological Association’s Society for Clinical Psychology, “The efficacy of EMDR for PTSD is an extremely controversial subject among researchers, as the available evidence can be interpreted in several ways. On one hand, studies have shown that EMDR produces greater reduction in PTSD symptoms compared to control groups receiving no treatment. On the other hand, the existing methodologically sound research comparing EMDR to exposure therapy without eye movements has found no difference in outcomes. Thus, it appears that while EMDR is effective, the mechanism of change may be exposure – and the eye movements may be an unnecessary addition.”
For a thorough discussion, see Science and Pseudoscience in the Development of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing: Implications for Clinical Psychology.