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Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for Adults & Adolescents in Atlanta area:

It’s not you, it’s the approach

Maybe you’ve tried everything, and nothing has worked which can be really discouraging.

That’s why we specialize in adherent DBT, ensuring you receive the best possible support and care.

Do you or a loved one have difficulty managing intense emotions that manifest into negative thought patterns or destructive behaviors?

  • Difficulty in interpersonal relationships

  • Painful emotions from which you feel there is no escape

  • Intense emotions that over time lead to a decreased quality of life

  • Quickly shifting from one emotion to another

  • Feeling like emotions are controlling your life

  • Confusion about who you are

  • Self-injurious or impulsive behaviors

  • Suicidal Ideation

Our comprehensive DBT programs are designed to teach long-term, effective coping skills so that clients have the tools they need to change their lives.

What is DBT?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based, comprehensive cognitive-behavioral treatment developed by Marsha Linehan, PhD, ABPP, that is considered helpful for a variety of problems including:

  • Depression

  • Anxiety

  • Borderline Personality Disorder

  • Substance Use Disorders

  • PTSD

  • Eating Disorders

  • Self Harm

  • Suicidal Behavior

DBT teaches people skills to manage their intense emotions, negative thought patterns, and sometimes destructive behaviors that can destroy a person’s quality of life.

In DBT we aim to increase positive, long-term, and effective coping skills in our clients that will be pervasive throughout their lives.

Our DBT Programs

Adult DBT Program

Adolescent DBT Program

How does DBT Work?

We offer a fully comprehensive and adherent DBT program that consists of four components. It is important to note that not everyone needs all of these components, but for certain problems and diagnoses, research supports that a comprehensive approach is essential.

Our fully comprehensive and adherent DBT Program consists of:

  • One-on-one sessions with a therapist where clients work on personal issues, apply DBT skills to real-life situations, and set goals for behavior change.

  • Group sessions where clients learn and practice DBT skills in four key areas:

    1. Mindfulness: Developing awareness and acceptance of the present moment.

    2. Distress Tolerance: Building resilience and coping strategies for dealing with crises and distressing situations.

    3. Emotion Regulation: Understanding and managing intense emotions effectively.

    4. Interpersonal Effectiveness: Enhancing communication and relationship skills.

  • Clients can access their therapist between sessions for guidance on applying DBT skills in real-time situations, particularly during crises.

  • Regular meetings for therapists to provide support, discuss cases, ensure adherence to the DBT model, and improve their skills. This component helps maintain the effectiveness and integrity of the DBT program.

How is DBT different?

DBT is unique in its integration of dialectics, skills-based approach, focus on specific behaviors, and incorporation of mindfulness, setting it apart from many other forms of therapy.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) differs from many other forms of therapy in several key ways:

  • DBT emphasizes the concept of dialectics, which involves holding and integrating opposing viewpoints or truths. This is reflected in the therapy's approach to balancing acceptance and change.

  • DBT is highly skills-focused, teaching clients specific techniques to manage emotions, improve relationships, and cope with distress. These skills are taught in group settings and applied in individual therapy sessions.

  • While DBT incorporates elements of cognitive therapy, it is primarily a behavioral therapy. It focuses on identifying and changing behaviors that contribute to distress and dysfunction, rather than solely focusing on changing thoughts or emotions.

  • DBT is often used to target specific behaviors, such as self-harm, suicidal ideation, and substance abuse, as well as emotional dysregulation and difficulties in relationships. It provides concrete strategies for managing these behaviors.

  • DBT is typically structured and time-limited, with a focus on achieving specific treatment goals within a set period. This structured approach helps clients make progress more quickly and effectively.

  • DBT integrates principles of mindfulness as a core component of therapy. Mindfulness skills are taught to help clients develop awareness, acceptance, and nonjudgmental observation of their thoughts and emotions.

  • While the therapeutic relationship is important in all therapies, it is particularly emphasized in DBT. The therapist-client relationship is seen as a crucial factor in helping clients change and grow.

Overall, DBT is unique in its integration of dialectics, skills-based approach, focus on specific behaviors, and incorporation of mindfulness, setting it apart from many other forms of therapy.

FAQ

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is different from other therapies in that it focuses on balancing acceptance and change, teaches practical skills to manage emotions and relationships, targets specific behaviors like self-harm, and is structured and time-limited. It also incorporates mindfulness and emphasizes the therapist-client relationship

  • Not necessarily, depending on the severity of the presenting problems and diagnoses you may not need all of the DBT components. During our initial consultation, we will assess your needs and recommend a course for treatment.

  • A fully adherent DBT program follows all the core principles and components of Dialectical Behavior Therapy, including individual therapy, skills training group, phone coaching, and consultation team meetings.

  • This can be subjective from person to person. The research done to support DBT is based on completing two full rounds of DBT skills which means doing all of the modules twice, in addition to participating in weekly individual DBT therapy sessions at the same time. In essence, it’s usually a little over one year.

  • Yes, we have several clients who choose to stay with their individual therapist outside of our practice. With that being said, we do require that each client be in weekly individual therapy with their therapist. Please note that we do not provide dbt phone coaching to clients seeing outside therapists as that is done with each client’s individual therapist.

  • We absolutely believe in collaboration. We send out emails every module explaining what skills our clients are learning and give an update as well on what we are observing as the group leaders. We welcome updates outside therapists as well and enjoy working in tandem with them.

  • Sometimes providers will say they offer Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) but only provide certain aspects of this particular treatment. When seeking DBT treatment, be sure to ask which components providers offer. It is important to note that not everyone needs all of these components, but for certain problems and diagnoses, research suggests that a comprehensive approach is essential. As intensively trained DBT therapists we provide a full comprehensive program to our clients and strive to be DBT adherent.

  • You can participate in our DBT skills classes without doing individual therapy at our practice, but you must be in weekly individual therapy with a therapist in the community. That being said, during our initial consultation we will assess your needs and recommend a course for treatment or help.

  • No, we ask that each client commit to doing one full round of modules (24 weeks). If you are interested in only some of the DBT skills it is possible that working with our DBT trained therapists for individual therapy and skill instruction would be beneficial.

  • At this time we offer in person and virtual therapy services in Georgia, and virtual therapy services in Florida. If you are looking for DBT services outside of Georgia or telehealth for Florida please visit https://behavioraltech.org/find-a-therapist-app/ to find an intensively trained DBT therapist near you.

  • We have therapists that offer individual DBT sessions via telehealth. At this time we do not offer our groups virtually.

  • Fees vary by clinician and are determined by their experience and education level. See below for more information.

  • We do not accept insurance. We can provide a superbill for services which you may be able to use to file for Out-of-Network (OON) reimbursement. Please follow up with your insurance company about OON benefits, deductibles, and reimbursement rates.

Looking specifically for RO DBT?

Learn more about our RO DBT program.

Our Team

Group Skills Classes

Learn to build the skills you need for a life worth living in an accepting, supportive, and non-judgmental setting.

Knowledge is a powerful tool, and in DBT skills classes, it becomes the foundation for building a more resilient and balanced life. As part of the fully adherent DBT program our skills classes use the latest information from Dr. Marsha Linehan’s research, including skills from her most recent 2014 skills book.

Group Skills

  • Mindfulness

    Learning how to live in the present moment on purpose, non-judgmentally, and to create moment-to-moment awareness.

  • Interpersonal Effectiveness

    Learning to ask for what you want or say no, strengthening and balancing relationships with others, and maintaining your own self respect in relationships.

  • Emotion Regulation

    Understand what emotions are and what they do for you, how to tolerate or change unpleasant or painful feelings.

  • Distress Tolerance

    Learning ways of surviving crisis emotions and urges without using problem behaviors and how to move towards accepting reality to reduce suffering.

  • Walking the Middle Path

    Only for adolescent and parent groups. Learning how to balance acceptance and change, how to validate yourself and others, and discover negative thought and behavioral patterns and the skills to change them.

See Skills Class Schedule

Fees & Insurance:

We do not accept insurance. We can provide a superbill for services which you may be able use to file for Out-of-Network (OON) reimbursement.

Please follow up with your insurance company about OON benefits, deductibles, and reimbursement rates.

In our adherent DBT Programs, adults and adolescents are required to participate in individual therapy sessions concurrently with group skills classes.

Parents of adolescents are required to take the Parent DBT Skills Classes. Parent Coaching is optional.

  • Fees vary by clinician and are determined by their experience and education level. Individual therapy fees range from $180–$240 for a 45–50 minute therapy session.

  • Fees range from $180–$260 for a 45–50 minute couples or family therapy session.

    • Adult DBT Skills Class: $720 per 8-week module of the DBT skills group (one year/six modules recommended).

    • Adolescent DBT Skills Class: $540 per 6-week module of the DBT skills group (one year/eight modules recommended).

    • Parent/caregiver DBT Skills Class: $810 for 9-week caregiver DBT skills training.

Our DBT Programs

Adult DBT Program

Adolescent DBT Program

Resources:

We believe that knowledge is the key to living a life worth living.

In the spirit of collaboration and learning, we have put together a comprehensive list of resources.

Are you ready to build a more meaningful life through DBT?