Care without the wait

135 licensed therapists & providers in Massachusetts—4 in Boston. Available as soon as today, in person and online

Therapy for every life stage

Our providers work with individuals, couples, families, & teens for anxiety, depression, grief, & more

#1 for in-network coverage

We accept UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, BCBS Plans, Humana, Aetna, & many more. Self-pay options available, no membership fees

Patients who get better

94% of patients feel truly understood by their provider. 3 out of 4 see improvement in depression & anxiety symptoms within 3 months

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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

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.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) FAQs

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 insurance and we offer self-pay options too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling at Thriveworks.

Our therapists and counselors in Boston accept 28 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

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Compsych

  • Fallon Health | Medicare Advantage

  • Firefly Health Plan | Cigna PPO Network

  • First Health Network

  • Harvard Pilgrim

View more
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

4.9 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★
First appointment with this provider
Tracey Mar 2026
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
She listens and is my biggest cheerleader
Lydia Mar 2026
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
She helps me to think of constructive ways to approach my problems with solutions I don’t always think of on my own due to stress.
Madalynn Mar 2026
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★
It is amazing to be able to talk to someone and get it all out. I love the suggestions that help me get food for thought. I can't see anyway you could improve. My life is I believe coming together. Thank you.
Nikhil Mar 2026
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I love my therapist. She is so kind, thoughtful and gentle. She also has a great sense of humor!
Syena Mar 2026
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Christina has been pivotal in my healing journey. She takes the right approach for me personally and has helped me really change the way I think from negative to positive. I wouldn’t change a thing about my sessions with her.
Zahra Jan 2026
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Really easy to schedule sessions and my provider is incredibly kind and helpful and has helped me through a lot of really difficult times
Jasper 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!
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Janelle Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
8 of 36 reviews

Where to find us

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Address

112 Water St Suite 203
Boston, MA 02109

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Boston is located near Water St and Broad St, off I-93. It is close to Faneuil Hall and just off the Rose Kennedy Greenway.

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Phone number

(617) 882-7447
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Languages spoken by MA providers

  • English
  • Japanese
  • Farsi
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Hours

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
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

Friday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 6:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 11:00pm

Shown in ET

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