Dialectical Behavior Therapy in Bend, Oregon
My name is Sean Downes and I’m a Licensed Psychotherapist in Bend, Oregon offering Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to patients who are looking for help managing unwanted emotions which may be interfering with their ability to thrive in a relationship and live a productive & successful life.
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As an integrative therapist with a focus on EMDR, I’ve seen first hand the power of EMDR + DBT Therapy to manage unwanted emotions to create new beginnings and opportunities. Clients often experience a brand new outlook on life, an increase in self-confidence, self-awareness, happiness and joy.
I am also a Certified Yoga Teacher which enables me to offer a unique and integrative approach that combines talk therapy, mindfulness and mind-body awareness, helping each individual balance their own core energy with their unique brain chemistry.
What is dialectical behavior therapy?
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT Therapy) is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy that has been found to be especially helpful for those who experience painfully intense emotions. Originally developed to help people with borderline personality disorder, DBT Therapy has since found a place in the treatment of a wide variety of distressing conditions, including bipolar disorder, PTSD, eating disorders, depression and suicidal urges.
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Clients with conditions like these may be suffering greatly, yet find therapy especially challenging. They may feel judged and misunderstood when they hear their problems are caused by their own uncontrollable emotions. They may even have had therapists give up on them, considering them impossible to treat. DBT Therapy is just one of many forms of therapy we can draw on to create a treatment plan suited to your unique needs.
Psychotherapy Fees:
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Rates are $200 per 55-minute session.
Out-of-pocket expenses are determined by insurance or if you are self-pay.
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All appointments are ONLINE only.
Insurance Accepted:
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I accept PacificSource Commercial, First Choice, MODA, PacificSource Community Solutions, OHP and BlueCross / BlueShield. I also do provide Out of Network Billing for other insurance companies. If you are using your insurance benefits, please take the time to understand the nuances of your insurance plan (copays, deductibles, HSA, etc.) on the front end of your psychotherapy treatment.
How Does EMDR Fit with DBT?
In fact, EMDR and DBT can work really well together. Here’s how:
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DBT helps you feel safe and stable. EMDR builds on that by helping you heal the roots of the distress.
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DBT teaches coping skills. EMDR helps reduce the emotional charge of the memories that trigger those intense reactions.
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DBT strengthens the present. EMDR clears out the past, so you can move forward more freely.
Many clients start with DBT to get grounded and then use EMDR to go deeper—not to relive trauma, but to release it.
I have had the pleasure of knowing Sean Dowes for more than ten years. He is a dedicated and compassionate professional whose innovative approach to counseling and therapy—blending talk with movement—has positively impacted the lives of many of my patients. He is an excellent resource and a trusted colleague.
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Dr. Mark Unverzagt
How does DBT work?
At the heart of dialectical behavior therapy is non-judgmental acceptance of the client for who they are. From there, emphasis is on learning to recognize emotional triggers and respond to those triggers in ways that reduce, rather than escalate, conflict. The aim is a healthy balance between acceptance and change.
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Mindfulness skills is perhaps the most important strategy in DBT Therapy. Mindfulness teaches you to focus on the present or “live in the moment.” By doing so, you can learn to pay attention to what’s going on inside of you (thoughts, feelings, sensations, impulses) as well as what’s outside of you (what you see, hear, smell, and touch) in non-judgmental ways. These skills will help you to slow down so you can focus on healthy coping skills in the midst of emotional pain. Mindfulness can help you to stay calm and avoid engaging in automatic negative thought patterns and impulsive behavior.
DBT therapy is just one of many forms of therapy we can draw on to create a treatment plan suited to your unique needs. Others are EMDR Therapy, CBT Therapy and Existential Therapy.
Who can benefit from dialectical behavior therapy
People experiencing emotional regulation challenges, like those with borderline personality disorder (BPD), are the main recipients of the benefits of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). However, its skills can also assist individuals dealing with depression, eating disorders, substance use disorders, anxiety, PTSD, and ADHD. DBT equips individuals with tools to navigate intense emotions, manage distress, and improve difficult interpersonal relationships. As a result, it can lead to decreased self-harm, heightened motivation, and a more enriched life.
If You Know DBT, Here’s Why EMDR Might Be the Next Step
If you’ve worked with DBT, you probably know how powerful it can be for managing big emotions, improving relationships, and staying grounded when life gets overwhelming. DBT teaches you skills like Mindfulness, Emotion Regulation, Distress Tolerance, and Interpersonal Effectiveness—and for many people, that’s life-changing.
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But sometimes, even with those skills in place, old pain still shows up. You may find yourself reacting in ways you don’t fully understand, or feeling stuck in patterns that DBT hasn’t completely shifted. That’s where EMDR can come in.
Is EMDR Right for Me?
If you’ve learned DBT skills but still feel weighed down by past experiences, EMDR might be a great next step. It's especially helpful if you:
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Feel emotionally reactive even with skills in place
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Avoid certain memories or experiences
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Have trauma, loss, or painful events in your history
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Want to feel more free, calm, and grounded
In a Nutshell
DBT helps you survive and thrive. EMDR helps you heal.
Together, they offer a powerful path forward.