Our licensed DBT therapists help you manage negative emotions and distress, practice mindfulness, and improve interpersonal relationships. DBT skills build emotional resilience and are an evidence-based treatment for substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy is an evidence-based mental health treatment initially designed for Borderline Personality Disorder and complex trauma. However, it has also been shown to be effective in treating other mental health disorders such as bipolar, addiction, and mild eating disorders.
DBT focuses on improving emotional well-being by teaching patients how to cope with negative emotions and tolerate distress. This can reduce the likelihood of self-medication with drugs and alcohol and lower the risk of relapse.
DBT focuses on four distinct skill sets to foster resilience, improve self-esteem, and increase emotional regulation:
Builds resilience to react less intensely to negative emotions, situations, or challenges that arise.
Encourages patients to stay in the present and build self-awareness around their emotions and how they affect their behavior, relationships, and overall health.
Teaches patients how to accept their emotions so they don’t control their mood or behavior.
Focus on concepts like problem-solving, communication, trust, boundaries, and active listening to strengthen relationships.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) are both evidence-based treatments that support those in recovery from substance abuse and co-occurring mental health problems. However, they differ in their approach to treatment.
CBT focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns to increase positive behavior and reduce emotional distress. It is commonly used for conditions such as depression, anxiety, and OCD. It is typically short-term and goal-oriented.
DBT, on the other hand, supports complex trauma, borderline personality disorder, and chronic suicidal ideation or risky, impulsive behavior. It builds on CBT by incorporating mindfulness, self-acceptance, and coping skill building into treatment. Rather than focusing on cognition, it puts a larger emphasis on how emotions influence our behavior.
Our program’s curriculum has been developed by our clinical director, who holds over 15 years of experience in the field of substance abuse. She has published academic research in neuroscience and has over 10 years of specialized expertise in trauma-informed care.
The program structure is based on a four-week cycle, with each week focusing on one of the four DBT modules, including emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness:
Focus on emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and the exploration of the importance of community and relationships in sustaining recovery, as well as the ability to start over in the face of lapse and relapse.
Initially designed for the treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder and complex trauma, DBT helps patients with complex emotional issues stay grounded, overcome trauma or distress, and manage intense mood swings.
DBT has been proven to reduce the frequency and severity of self-harming injuries. Emotional regulation and distress tolerance help manage mood swings and negative feelings. Mindfulness can lower the participation in risky behaviors.
DBT targets emotional dysregulation and teaches patients how to tolerate distress better, reducing the risk of turning to drugs or alcohol to cope. Several studies show Dialectical Behavior Therapy is highly effective for addiction treatment, especially when paired with case management services and sober living support.
DBT can help patients manage negative emotions that lead to symptoms of depression and cycles of anxious thinking. DBT therapists provide psychoeducation about mental health, helpful coping skills to manage distress, and a foundation to overcome challenging experiences.
DBT helps people be less controlled by their emotional and mood states. Patients learn how to observe and accept their thoughts, feelings, and emotions without judgment or acting on impulse. This reduces problems such as aggressive outbursts, dysfunctional relationships, and reckless or destructive behavior.
Individual DBT therapy focuses on personalized, one-on-one sessions where clients work closely with their therapist to identify and address negative thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that impair their daily functioning.
DBT Skills groups function like structured glass rather than traditional group therapy. Sessions include mindfulness exercises, and each lesson might focus on a different skill module of DBT, such as emotional regulation or interpersonal skills.
Treatment plans are designed collaboratively between the client and therapist. This helps create more effective DBT sessions by understanding the client’s background, goals, and unique emotional complexities.
I was nervous coming here, but the staff made me feel welcome right away. The groups and support really helped me see I’m not alone in this. I’m leaving with hope and a plan for my life.
Emily O’Connor, Boston, MA
This place gave me my life back. I didn’t think anything could help, but the team here really cared. They taught me how to deal with tough days and not give up.
Michael Russo, Worcester, MA
When I came in, I was lost. Now I feel stronger, and I know what steps to take. The people here treated me like a person, not just a patient.
Patrick Donnelly, Cambridge, MA
Yes. We work with most commercial insurance providers. Contact our admissions team to learn more about finance plans, scholarships, and other payment options.
DBT treatment typically lasts anywhere from 6 months to one year, depending on the individual’s response to treatment.
All of our therapy modalities, including DBT, are available in our full-day, half-day, and outpatient treatment programs. The only thing that may differ is the frequency at which you attend sessions.
We currently only offer in-person therapy. However, we can work with you on a case-by-case basis to help you overcome barriers such as a lack of transportation or a schedule conflict.
