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4,690 people sought dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) help in Massachusetts in the last year

Discover how starting dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

Start DBT with a licensed therapist as soon as this week

4  therapists available in Boston

I have been providing therapy for individuals and couples since 2006....

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Azizi Carle is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in the states of Massachusetts and Texas who has over 10 years’ exp...

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As a woman of color, I understand the importance of intersectionality and cultural competence and their impact on mental health....

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As a passionate clinician, navigating the challenging experience of life, I look forward to meeting with you as we embark on a jou...

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Rebecca MacGillivray

Hear from Rebecca MacGillivray, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)

View Rebecca MacGillivray's profile

What is your go-to approach for dialectical behavior therapy?

My go-to approach in dialectical behavior therapy is multifaceted. I find great benefits in helping others develop DBT skills, which encompass mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. DBT also helps to reduce self-judgement and promote progress.

What tools do you teach in dialectical behavior therapy?

In dialectical behavior therapy, there are four categories of behavioral skills that are taught in individual or group settings. Mindfulness skills are utilized to enhance present awareness and acceptance. Distress tolerance focuses on developing coping skills for crisis situations. Emotion regulation focuses on identifying and managing intense emotions. Interpersonal effectiveness focuses on building and maintaining healthy relationships.

How do you know when a client is making meaningful progress in dialectical behavior therapy?

I know a client is making meaningful progress in dialectical behavior therapy when they are able to utilize skills in everyday situations to help regulate emotions more effectively and develop coping skills to tolerate stress. Another indication the client is making progress is when they improve boundary setting and communication within relationships.

What can clients do in their personal time to supplement dialectical behavior therapy?

Clients can supplement their time in dialectical behavior therapy by increasing present awareness without judgment. It is also helpful to track emotions, urges, and behaviors in order to identify patterns and triggers.

What should someone do to prepare for starting dialectical behavior therapy?

To prepare for their first dialectical behavior session, an individual can begin by tracking emotions and behavioral concerns and reflect on what they may want to change or improve upon while they embark on the therapeutic journey.

Starting Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) in Boston

What is dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)?

At Thriveworks, Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) primarily concentrates on assisting individuals in emotion regulation, enhancing interpersonal relationships, and acquiring effective coping strategies for managing stress and emotional difficulties.

How does DBT work?

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) targets your personal challenges. You may work with your DBT therapist to maintain diary cards to monitor progress, emphasizing validation and support in the therapeutic relationship. DBT follows a stage-based approach, prioritizing crisis reduction initially and life satisfaction.

What is DBT best used for?

DBT was initially developed to address the needs of individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, its versatile approach has enabled its application to a wide range of mental health conditions, including but not limited to, anxiety, depression, stress, and anger issues.

What are the 4 pillars of DBT?

The 4 pillars of DBT are mindfulness, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance.

Is DBT better than EMDR?

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) have distinct purposes and aren’t inherently superior or inferior to one another. DBT is most effective for managing emotional regulation, personality disorders, and interpersonal challenges, while EMDR is specifically tailored for individuals with trauma-related conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Is DBT conducted in person or online?

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) with therapists at Thriveworks in Boston, MA is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How many months is DBT?

The duration of a standard DBT program is typically around 24 weeks, which is roughly six months. The actual number of sessions will vary depending on the issues you wish to address.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 360+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our therapists and counselors in Boston accept 29 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Aetna Medicare Advantage

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts | BCBS Medicare Advantage (HMO | PPO)

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts | BCBS

  • Carelon

  • Carelon | Medicare Advantage

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Compsych

  • Fallon Health | Medicare Advantage

  • Firefly Health Plan | Cigna PPO Network

  • First Health Network

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Self-pay costs at Boston
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

5.0 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
Really easy to schedule sessions and my provider is incredibly kind and helpful and has helped me through a lot of really difficult times
Joseph Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Ashley was so helpful and understanding when I needed a same day apt. She placed me with a therapist with an opening that night and she was amazing. I saw Josephine and she truly turned my day around. I'm looking forward to meeting with her again and working on myself!
Read more Ashley was so helpful and understanding when I needed a same day apt. She placed me with a therapist with an opening that night and she was amazing. I saw Josephine and she truly turned my day around. I'm looking forward to meeting with her again and working on myself!
Madison Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Provider Aziz is respectful of my space, not afraid to give bad news. . Bad news comes with several solutions.. She is watching me unravel.. as I become less rigid and it does not look pretty.. Aziza celebrates my wins. Just what I need.. She is fascinated at all I do but has cautioned me to make time for sleep and care of my health. . She laughs at my corny jokes. . I trust her.. Unsure of trusting myself.. Thank you Aziza.
Read more Provider Aziz is respectful of my space, not afraid to give bad news. . Bad news comes with several solutions.. She is watching me unravel.. as I become less rigid and it does not look pretty.. Aziza celebrates my wins. Just what I need.. She is fascinated at all I do but has cautioned me to make time for sleep and care of my health. . She laughs at my corny jokes. . I trust her.. Unsure of trusting myself.. Thank you Aziza.
Elaine Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Naomi is the BEST. She listens thoughtful attentive
Susan Jul 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
my particular provider is intelligent, kind, patient, and an amazing person. additionally i like that you can book as many sessions as you want per month
Katherine Jun 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I love having Melanie as my therapist! She validates how I am feeling about different situations, particularly that the experiences or feelings that I have are normal reactions or responses. She really has helped me process friendship interactions, grief, anxiety and more. I'm thankful I was paired with her!
Read more I love having Melanie as my therapist! She validates how I am feeling about different situations, particularly that the experiences or feelings that I have are normal reactions or responses. She really has helped me process friendship interactions, grief, anxiety and more. I'm thankful I was paired with her!
Shauna Jun 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
The website is extremely to use and my scheduling is very flexible!
David Jun 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Carol has been a lifeline for me. She is the most empathetic and informative therapist I have had. She's helped me seek treatment for my eating disorder and helped me navigate my post partum period. There aren't enough words I could use to recommend her.
Read more Carol has been a lifeline for me. She is the most empathetic and informative therapist I have had. She's helped me seek treatment for my eating disorder and helped me navigate my post partum period. There aren't enough words I could use to recommend her.
Suzanne Jun 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Boston is located on Water St. We share a building with The Boston Barbor Exchange, Vaanga Boston, PanIQ Escape Room Boston, and other businesses. We’re just a few blocks away from the waterfront.

Phone number

(617) 882-7447

Languages spoken by MA providers

  • English
  • Japanese
  • Farsi
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:30pm

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Wednesday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 8:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 6:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:30pm

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