Navigating Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) with an Expert Therapist

About this episode

This episode features a discussion on Dialectical Behavior Therapy with expert Penny Kruger, focusing on its practical applications and benefits for mental health recovery.

In this in-depth and hope-filled episode of Mental Health: Hope and Recovery, hosts Helen Sneed and Valerie Milburn welcome DBT expert Penny Kruger, LCSW-S, for a powerful conversation about Dialectical Behavior Therapy and why it continues to change lives. Building on their previous DBT episode, Helen and Valerie explore how DBT works in real-world clinical settings, why it is more than just a therapy model, and how it provides practical, life-saving skills for people struggling with intense emotions, impulsive behaviors, and chronic despair. With over 30 years of clinical experience, Penny shares her knowledge and insight on DBT treatment, why validation and transparency matter, and how people can stay engaged in treatment even when they feel demoralized or ready to quit. The episode closes with a guided mindfulness and opposite action exercise led by Valerie. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN What Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is and why it works The core goals of DBT: balancing acceptance and change How DBT helps manage emotional dysregulation and impulsive behaviors What “life worth living” means in DBT Why DBT skills are action-oriented and practical Why validation and transparency…

People in this episode

Hosts: Helen Sneed, Valerie Milburn

Guest: Penny Kruger

Topics covered

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy
• mental health
• emotional regulation
• therapy techniques
• mindfulness
• recovery

Keywords

• DBT
• mental health therapy
• emotional dysregulation
• mindfulness exercises
• validation
• treatment engagement

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Mind Body Spirit.fm, Crisis Support

Books & works: Building a Life Worth Living

More episodes of Mental Health: Hope and Recovery

• Gratitude and Celebration: Helen and Valerie Take Their Own Advice · May 21, 2026 · 51 min
• Cornerstones of Recovery: Individual and Community Relationships · February 27, 2026 · 50 min
• How Valerie and Helen (Mostly) Outsmart Negativity · January 30, 2026 · 50 min
• 2025 Mindfulness Exercise Favorites · December 9, 2025 · 33 min
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy -- The Journey from Pain to Purpose · November 26, 2025 · 48 min
• Mindfulness Applied to Mental Health · October 24, 2025 · 37 min