It can be difficult to find DBT therapy certified providers near you. That’s why Gladstone Psychiatry and Wellness is excited to announce the expansion of our Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) program in Maryland. As one of only two DBT-LBC certified programs in the state, we are committed to providing high-quality, comprehensive DBT services to adults and adolescents alike.
What Sets Gladstone’s Certified DBT Therapy Program Apart?
Our DBT program prides itself on offering full fidelity DBT according to the model created by Marsha Linehan, the developer of DBT. This approach has been proven effective through multiple randomized controlled trials, and we are dedicated to following this research-backed model.
The Linehan Board of Certification (DBT-LBC) has awarded our program certification after a rigorous examination process. This involved a comprehensive review of our program documents, interviews with therapists and clients, and more. This certification underscores our commitment to providing the highest quality DBT services.
“Receiving the designation of a DBT-Linehan Board of Certification, Certified Program™ was incredible,” says Rebecca Blake, LCSW-C, DBT-LBC, a DBT-Linehan Board of Certification Certified Therapist and Co-Director of Gladstone’s DBT Program. “This certification demonstrates our commitment to excellence and fidelity to DBT.”
Impressive Results
We are thrilled to share the remarkable results our clients have achieved through our DBT program:
- A 98% reduction in psychiatric hospitalizations (based on data collected in 2023 for the previous year)
- Substantial reduction in emotional dysregulation, as measured by the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS)
Upon admission to the program, the average DERS score was 111.3, which correlates with severe mental health symptoms. At termination, the average score decreased to 86.27, indicating a significant improvement to mild symptoms that can be managed with outpatient therapy.
“We don’t just look at anecdotal evidence, we follow the research,” says Christina White, LCPC, DBT-LBC, a DBT-Linehan Board of Certification Certified Therapist and Co-Director of Gladstone’s DBT Program. “We also use assessments and data to track progress, we consistently see the positive impact DBT is making in people’s lives through the growth we see and we can back that up with numbers.”
Comprehensive DBT Treatment
Our program offers a full spectrum of DBT services, including:
- Weekly individual therapy sessions
- Group skills training sessions
- Phone coaching as needed
- Therapist consultation team
This comprehensive approach requires a minimum commitment of three hours per week, typically involving one hour of individual therapy and two hours of group skills training.
“For people with Borderline Personality Disorder, suicidal behaviors, and severe emotional dysregulation, the full slate of comprehensive DBT services is essential,” says Nicole Roder, LCSW-C, DBT-LBC, DBT-Linehan Board of Certification Certified Therapist at Gladstone Psychiatry and Wellness. “It’s definitely a big time commitment, and it’s also worth it to achieve your life worth living. Our clients learn essential skills in their groups for regulating their emotions, tolerating distressing situations, and communicating with the people in their lives. When they come to their individual sessions, I help guide them through applying those skills to their specific life problems. In between sessions, they can call me anytime for skills coaching if they experience a crisis or another tricky situation. It is truly a full-service program.”
Nicole also points out that the consultation team is an essential part of the program that clients don’t participate in. It is “therapy for the therapist” where the DBT team supports each other and helps each other improve their abilities to treat clients. “I love my DBT team,” says Nicole. “If you ask me, it’s the best DBT team in Maryland.”
Flexible Options Near You With Our Maryland DBT Therapy Certified Providers
To better serve our clients, we offer both virtual and in-person options:
- Individual sessions are available in-person at most of our Maryland Gladstone offices: Hunt Valley, Bethesda, Columbia, and our newest location in Frederick.
- We will continue to offer virtual individual sessions for those who prefer them.
- Adult skills training groups are currently fully virtual.
- Adolescent and family skills training groups are offered both virtually and in-person at our Hunt Valley location.
Insurance and Payment Options
We strive to make our certified DBT program accessible to as many Marylanders as possible. Here’s an overview of our insurance and payment options:
- We are fully in-network with most local (Maryland) commercial CareFirst/BCBS plans. Some medical necessity requirements may apply.
- We also accept Aetna, United/Optum, Cigna/Evernorth, and non-local CareFirst plans with an additional monthly fee.
- Single Case Agreements may be available for some clients.
- Self-pay option available for people without insurance coverage.
Who Can Benefit from Our Certified DBT Program in Maryland?
Our DBT program is open to anyone, regardless of whether they are a current client at Gladstone. While you don’t need to be a Maryland resident to participate, you must be physically present in Maryland during individual and group sessions due to licensing requirements.
The typical duration of the program is one year for adults and six months for adolescents, based on the proven efficacy of these treatment lengths in clinical trials.
How DBT Differs from Traditional Therapy
Many of our clients have tried various therapies before finding success with DBT. Here’s how DBT differs from traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):
- Format: DBT involves weekly individual therapy, group skills training, and phone coaching, whereas CBT typically consists of weekly or bi-monthly individual sessions.
- Process: DBT focuses on teaching skills and emotional exposure, while CBT emphasizes changing problematic thoughts.
- Structure: DBT sessions follow a structured target hierarchy, whereas CBT sessions are often more open-ended and client-led.
How Do I Find a DBT Therapy Certified Provider Near Me? Getting Started with Gladstone’s Maryland DBT Program
If you’re interested in our DBT program, here’s how to get started:
- Complete and send your application to dbt@gladstonepsych.com.
- Your application will be added to our waitlist.
- When a therapist has an opening matching your availability and preferences, they will contact you for a brief phone consultation.
- An intake appointment may be scheduled following the consultation.
We offer a pretreatment phase of 4-6 sessions for people who are unsure if DBT is right for them. This allows you to learn more about the program and for your therapist to assess your fitness for DBT. There is no obligation to continue after pretreatment if you are not completely satisfied.
At Gladstone Psychiatry and Wellness, we’re passionate about the transformative power of DBT. We’ve seen countless individuals achieve remarkable progress, even after trying multiple other treatments and medications. If you or a loved one are struggling with emotional regulation or other mental health challenges, we encourage you to talk to one of our Maryland DBT Therapy Certified Providers near you. With our expansion and flexible care options, we’re more equipped than ever to help you on your journey to improved mental health and well-being.