Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): A Comprehensive Approach to Mental Health
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a highly effective, evidence-based treatment designed to help individuals manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and reduce harmful behaviors. Initially developed in the 1980s by Dr. Marsha Linehan to treat individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD), DBT has expanded its applications to treat a wide range of mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, self-harm, and disordered eating. Haven Psychology Group offers a comprehensive DBT program that combines individual therapy, DBT skills groups, phone coaching, and parent coaching to provide holistic support to individuals navigating emotional dysregulation.
What is DBT?
DBT integrates principles from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with mindfulness and acceptance strategies to help individuals develop skills to manage emotions, improve interpersonal relationships, and live more balanced lives. Unlike traditional therapies, DBT focuses on balancing acceptance (mindfulness, validation) with change (behavioral strategies, problem-solving). It emphasizes the importance of finding a middle path between seemingly opposing forces—a dialectic—such as accepting oneself while striving for improvement.
The therapy has proven effective in treating various mental health issues, including:
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Emotion Dysregulation
Suicidal Ideation and Self-Harm
Anxiety and Depression
Unstable Relationships
Core Components of DBT
DBT is composed of four primary components that work together to offer a comprehensive therapeutic approach:
1. Individual Therapy:
Personalized sessions that focus on specific challenges, emotional regulation, and goal setting. These sessions complement the skills learned in DBT skills groups, focusing on issues like relationship conflicts or overwhelming emotions.
2. DBT Skills Groups:
A structured 24-week class where participants learn essential DBT skills:
Mindfulness: Staying present in the moment and non-judgmentally observing thoughts and feelings.
Distress Tolerance: Coping with crises without making them worse.
Emotion Regulation: Learning to understand and manage intense emotions.
Interpersonal Effectiveness: Developing assertive communication and healthy relationships.
3. Phone Coaching:
Between-session support that helps clients apply DBT skills to real-life situations. Phone coaching ensures that clients receive immediate guidance in moments of distress or crisis, promoting ongoing skill development and emotional mastery.
4. Consultation Team:
Behind the scenes, DBT therapists meet weekly with a consultation team to ensure they adhere to DBT principles, providing the highest quality of care. This collaboration helps prevent burnout and ensures that clients are receiving the best possible treatment.
Why DBT Works
DBT’s success lies in its unique approach, which includes:
Empowering clients to take control of their lives by providing practical skills for managing emotions and behaviors.
Effective for individuals resistant to traditional therapies, particularly those dealing with chronic emotional dysregulation or high-risk behaviors.
A focus on both acceptance and change, helping individuals navigate their emotional experiences while striving for healthier behaviors.
Research has shown that DBT significantly improves symptoms of depression, anxiety, self-harm, and relational difficulties, providing clients with a path to stability and well-being.
DBT at Haven Psychology Group
At Haven Psychology Group, we offer individual therapy, DBT skills groups, and phone coaching for both teens and adults. Our virtual DBT skills groups are designed to make DBT accessible to anyone, anywhere. We also offer parent coaching to help family members better support their loved ones who are participating in DBT therapy.
Teen DBT Skills Group: Tuesdays, 5:00 - 6:00 PM ET
Adult DBT Skills Group: Wednesdays, 4:00 - 5:00 PM ET
Tailored Support for Teens and Adults
DBT at Haven Psychology Group is available to individuals of all ages, whether you’re a teen struggling with emotional regulation or an adult seeking healthier relationships. Our tailored approach ensures that clients receive the right combination of individual therapy, skills groups, and coaching to meet their specific needs.
Insurance and Fees
We are in-network with many insurance providers - including Aetna, Optum, and UnitedHealthcare - and we offer superbills for out-of-network reimbursement. Our pricing includes:
Individual Intake Sessions: $225
Individual DBT Sessions: $175
Skills Group Sessions: $85
Take the First Step Today
If you’re ready to begin your journey toward emotional well-being, we invite you to schedule a free 15-minute consultation. Our team is here to support you every step of the way with a compassionate and evidence-based approach to mental health.
Embrace the change and growth that DBT can offer. Your path to emotional balance and healthier relationships starts here.
