Dr. Karyn Hall

Dr. Karyn Hall is the founder and director of the DBT Center, an outpatient treatment center dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based care through Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Radically Open DBT (RO DBT). She was the first therapist in Texas to be certified by the Linehan Board of Certification for DBT and is one of the earliest certified RO DBT supervisors and trainers in the United States. Her clinical work and leadership have helped shape the landscape of treatment for individuals who struggle with emotional dysregulation, overcontrol, and complex mental health conditions.

As a licensed psychologist, Dr. Hall is known for her deep commitment to lifelong learning and innovation in therapy. She and her team work with individuals, couples, and families seeking help with a wide range of challenges—from everyday stress and relationship issues to more severe concerns like borderline personality disorder (BPD), anxiety, treatment-resistant depression, overcontrolled personality styles, OCPD, eating disorders, and addictions. Her approach is collaborative, respectful, and focused on helping clients create lives worth living and sharing.

The DBT Center serves clients across the lifespan, including children, teens, and adults. Dr. Hall and her team believe therapy should be a partnership built on trust, connections, client-based goals, and science-based treatment. They work closely with clients to develop personalized treatment plans that reflect each person's unique needs, values, and hopes for the future. Their mission is to offer care that is both scientifically grounded and emotionally attuned—care that helps people thrive, not just survive.

In addition to her clinical leadership, Dr. Hall is the founder and director of DBTWise, a therapist-led training company offering workshops, supervision, and webinars in DBT and RO DBT. DBTWise is committed to supporting clinicians with high-quality, practical training informed by real-world experience. The company also creates accessible resources for non-therapists interested in understanding these powerful treatment approaches.

Dr. Hall is the author of several well-regarded books aimed at both clinicians and the general public. Her works include SAVVY: Communication Skills for Family and Friends of Someone with Borderline Personality Disorder, The Emotionally Sensitive Person: Finding Peace When Your Emotions Overwhelm You, and Mindfulness Exercises for DBT Therapists. She is also the co-author of The Power of Validation and, most recently, co-authored The Radically Open DBT Workbook for Eating Disorders, a valuable resource for individuals seeking recovery from restrictive and overcontrolled eating behaviors.

Her blog, Pieces of Mind, appears on Psychology Today, where she writes about emotional sensitivity, self-compassion, relationships, and personal growth.

Dr. Hall’s work reflects her core belief: that recovery is possible, and with the right tools and support, people can build fulfilling, connected, and meaningful lives.