Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
What is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy?
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a form of psychotherapy often used to treat individuals who have difficulty regulating emotions, maintaining relationships and tolerating distress. Based on cognitive behavioral therapy, DBT combines evidence-based strategies from a number of supportive psychotherapies. DBT is commonly used to treat individuals with:
- borderline personality disorder (BPD)
- post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- substance use disorder
- eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia
- depression
- anxiety
How does dialectical behavioral therapy work?
DBT helps individuals get their lives back on track. Through individual and group therapy sessions, skills-building and coaching, patients learn how to recognize and respond to challenges in productive ways.
A key component of DBT is skills training. Patients learn healthy coping mechanisms, so they can persevere in distressing situations. Our providers offer a clear action plan for patients to build, practice and master important skills, including:
- mindfulness
- distress tolerance
- emotional regulation
- interpersonal effectiveness
The skills training component of DBT provides patients the structure to learn, refine, and master such practices. Above all, patients gain the tools they need to develop a strong sense of self while strengthening personal relationships.
What’s involved in comprehensive DBT?
DBT is a multifaceted approach to emotional regulation. Individuals don’t just build their personal skills but also gain a reliable support system. Individual and group therapy sessions help patients learn and apply their skills with the support of both mental health professionals and an empathetic community.
Individual Therapy Sessions
During weekly sessions, individuals spend an hour with their therapist learning to recognize problematic behaviors and devise more productive coping mechanisms. Using a daily diary card, patients can reflect on past challenges and track their progress throughout the DBT program.
DBT Skills Group
Individuals come together once a week for two hours to learn and practice effective behaviors. The community setting encourages patients to build positive interpersonal relationships. Together, individuals in the DBT skills training group learn to regulate their emotions in challenging situations.
Phone Coaching
The phone coaching component helps individuals choose healthy behaviors when confronted with distressing situations. Individuals contact their provider by text or phone for guidance on how to act skillfully and avoid unwanted behaviors. With the support of their provider, patients apply the skills they’ve learned in real life situations.
DBT Team Consultation
To ensure our providers always provide the highest quality of care, our DBT therapists attend a weekly consultation team meeting. In the consultation team, therapists receive valuable support and feedback from fellow mental health professionals. The aim of the consultation team is to advance therapists’ skills and support patient outcomes.
Is DBT right for you?
If you often find emotions overwhelming and struggle to maintain positive relationships, DBT could help you develop healthy behaviors. DBT empowers patients to overcome destructive behaviors and build a path towards a life worth living.
Do you struggle with any of the following issues?
- Relationship conflicts
- Intense emotional expression
- Rapid mood swings
- Difficulty relaxing
- Addiction
- Anger management
- Binge eating
- Overspending
- Self-harm
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Avoiding responsibilities, people, or events
- Numbing in response to fear, anger and pain
- Low tolerance for stress
- Suicidality
- History of psychiatric hospitalizations
Whether you would like to increase your ability to manage emotions, develop relationships, or respond in a crisis, working with a DBT therapist to integrate the skills into every area of your life can be life-changing.
What’s special about DBT at Gladstone?
DBT is a multifaceted approach to emotional regulation. Individuals don’t just build their personal skills but also gain a reliable support system. Individual and group therapy sessions help patients learn and apply their skills with the support of both mental health professionals and an empathetic community.
Our mission
The DBT Program at Gladstone strives to be a pioneer in making high quality, full-fidelity DBT accessible to those with commercial insurance
DBT-Linehan Board of Certification™
The DBT Program at Gladstone is approved as a DBT-Linehan Board of Certification, Certified Program™
This means that our program has been independently evaluated by the Linehan Board of Certification and found to have a high level of fidelity to the DBT model as prescribed by the creator of DBT, Marsha Linehan.
Why look for a certified DBT program? Click to learn more about DBT-Linehan Board of Certification™
Program Directors Christina White, LCPC and Rebecca Blake, LCSW-C are DBT-Linehan Board Certified Clinicians™
Many of our clinicians are currently in the process of individual certification through the DBT-Linehan Board of Certification™
Training
Our clinicians have received foundational DBT training through Behavioral Tech or one of their associated trainers
Our clinicians have received training in DBT Prolonged Exposure, a protocol developed by Melanie Harned, Ph.D, ABPP for the treatment of PTSD and trauma-related symptoms
How to Apply
Now accepting adolescents ages 11-17 years old and adults 18-64 years old with most Blue Cross Blue Shield/Carefirst plans.
For additional information or to apply for the DBT program, please contact DBT Manager/Coordinator Krista Mitchell at dbt@gladstonepsych.com or 443-247-3621.
Start Your Mental Health Journey
Through longer appointment times and a strong emphasis on patient-provider relationships, we drive positive mental health outcomes. Start your mental health journey with Gladstone Psychiatry and Wellness: