Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
DBT Therapy in Maryland
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a form of psychotherapy often used to treat individuals who have difficulty regulating emotions, maintaining relationships and tolerating distress. It is based on cognitive behavioral therapy. DBT combines evidence-based strategies from a number of supportive psychotherapies. Gladstone offers comprehensive DBT therapy in Maryland. 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
Now accepting adolescents aged 14+ and adults!
New patients: start by submitting your completed application to [email protected]. See more information below under “how to apply.”
How does dialectical behavioral therapy work?
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?
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
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
Is DBT right for you?
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.
DBT for Adolescents
DBT-A, or DBT for Adolescents, is an adaptation of Dialectical Behavior Therapy as originally developed by Marsha Linehan. The DBT Program at Gladstone serves adolescents aged 14 and up.
Like traditional comprehensive DBT, adolescents in DBT-A participate in a once weekly individual therapy session with a DBT therapist and have access to phone coaching between sessions.
Family involvement is critical to positive outcomes for adolescent clients. Therefore, the following modifications are included in DBT-A:
- The adolescent client and at least one parent attend a Multifamily Skills Group weekly for 24 weeks (6 months)
- Family therapy is offered on an as-needed basis to promote improved communication within the family system and encourage skills use on the part of the adolescent client and their parents
- Parent coaching is offered with your teen’s primary individual therapist, or if clinically indicated, with a separate therapist
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
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 14-17 years old and adults 18-64 years old with most major insurance plans.
For additional information or to apply for the DBT program, please contact DBT Manager/Coordinator Kristine Mekins at [email protected] or 443-247-3621.