Comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy
We offer the full DBT model for adults, adolescents and neurodivergent adolescents: weekly individual therapy, weekly skills training groups, and caregiver workshops for families.
What is DBT?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy was developed by Marsha Linehan for individuals who have difficulty regulating their emotions and who use unhealthy coping to manage them.
Participants learn skills to cope effectively with intense negative emotions while increasing self-acceptance and validation. DBT is an effective treatment for adults and adolescents with severe emotion dysregulation, including those who engage in self-harm.
What the program includes
- Individual therapy
Weekly sessions with your DBT clinician throughout your participation in group.
- Skills training group
A weekly group that teaches DBT skills module by module, with practice between sessions.
- Caregiver workshops
For families of adolescents, a workshop at the end of each module to review the skills taught.
Skills modules
Each module takes approximately 12 weeks. Mindfulness is taught throughout. Adults complete three modules; adolescents complete four.
- Interpersonal effectiveness
Asking for what you need, setting limits and maintaining relationships and self-respect.
- Emotion regulation
Understanding emotions, reducing vulnerability to them and changing those you want to change.
- Distress tolerance
Getting through crises without making things worse, and accepting what cannot be changed.
- Walking the middle path
Skills for family communication and working through common parent–teen dilemmas.
DBT groups
- DBT
DBT skills group for adults
AdultsAbout this groupA weekly group that teaches the core DBT skills for managing intense emotions, getting through crises and building steadier relationships.
- DBT
DBT skills group for adolescents
AdolescentsAbout this groupA weekly group where teens learn DBT skills for handling strong emotions, stress and relationships. Caregivers are invited to a workshop at the end of each module.
- DBT
DBT skills group for neurodivergent adolescents
Neurodivergent adolescentsAbout this groupA DBT skills group for neurodivergent teens, including autistic teens and teens with ADHD, taught in a way that fits how many neurodivergent teens learn best.
- DBT
Multifamily adolescent DBT group
Adolescents and their parents or caregiversAbout this groupTeens and their parents or caregivers attend together and learn the same DBT skills side by side, so the whole family shares a common language for difficult moments.
Before you begin
DBT is an effective treatment, and it requires both a time and financial commitment. We ask that participants understand the following before starting.
- Orientation session. All interested patients and families attend an orientation before beginning treatment.
- Weekly individual therapy. Required for the duration of group participation.
- Full module commitment. Participants commit to completing each module they sign up for in its entirety.
Interested in DBT?
Start with a free phone consultation. We will discuss whether comprehensive DBT is the right fit and, if so, schedule an orientation.