One critical goal of DBT is to help clients create a life worth living. It involves finding a balance between acceptance and change, where individuals embrace who they are while striving for personal growth and well-being. Clients work on living in the present moment, setting and pursuing values-based goals, and building a life that aligns with their core values and aspirations.

One crucial element of DBT is developing fundamental coping skills. Clients work on enhancing their emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Emotion regulation skills help individuals manage intense emotions, distress tolerance skills assist in handling difficult situations without impulsive reactions, and interpersonal effectiveness skills improve communication and relationship management.

DBT also emphasizes application of skills. With assistance, clients identify specific issues or challenges they wish to address. With the guidance of their therapist, they apply the skills acquired in session to these real-life problems. This stage emphasizes practical problem-solving, goal-setting, and the application of coping strategies to daily life. Evaluation of skill acquisition and implementation is continued.