2,400 people sought dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) help in North Carolina in the last year

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

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

Good news! We have 76 therapists in North Carolina available for an online or in-person session.
Laura  Pond

Hear from Laura Pond, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC)

View Laura Pond's profile

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

When utilizing dialectical behavior therapy, it's important to assess a client's knowledge base of the approach and information. Many times, a client may already be familiar with the basics and may need either a refresher or increased accountability for using the numerous skills associated with DBT. For those who have not had DBT before, a basic tenet is to not just balance but fully utilize perspectives of both acceptance and change. I enjoy and often engage clients in DBT because it gives a clear process for how to experience, work with, and effectively communicate our thoughts and emotions to others.

What tools do you teach in dialectical behavior therapy?

I cover and/or review the following tools in DBT:

  • Mindfulness - “How” and “what” skills, as far as practicing mindfulness.
  • Distress tolerance - Using ACCEPTS, IMPROVE, and TIP skills.
  • Emotion regulation - Managing vulnerability, PLEASE skills, and building mastery.
  • Interpersonal effectiveness - Using DEAR MAN, GIVE, and FAST skills.

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

Clients are making progress in DBT when they are better able to utilize their Wise Mind to understand their emotional reactions and their logical decision-making sides. Improved interactions with themselves and others are typically the outcome of effective DBT.

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

To supplement DBT-focused sessions, clients can engage with DBT workbooks that can be purchased online (we cover some worksheets in sessions), check out free resources on DBT online or through their local library, and attend DBT groups that are often being run in local areas. These groups are typically more so focused on the skills related to DBT, and as such can be experienced more like workshops than support groups.

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

To prepare for their first session of DBT, a client can explore and present their personal struggles in their life as they relate to the things they are struggling to accept about themselves, others, or a situation, and identify the things they can and want to change in relation to these areas.

Starting Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)

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 Cary, NC 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 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Cary therapists and counselors accept 26 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina | BCBS

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina | BCBS Medicare Advantage

  • Carelon

  • Caresource

  • Carolina Behavioral Health Alliance (CBHA)

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

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Self-pay costs at Cary
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
★★★★★
I highly recommend Dr. Deborah Bell if you need an empathetic and experienced therapist for trauma and/or bereavement issues.
Read more I highly recommend Dr. Deborah Bell if you need an empathetic and experienced therapist for trauma and/or bereavement issues.
Jeanne Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
My husband and I saw Dr. Bell for marital counseling. She helped us work through things that I thought were impossible! Her style and methods of communicating helped us to examine ourselves and reestablish our relationship. Truly a God-send!
Read more My husband and I saw Dr. Bell for marital counseling. She helped us work through things that I thought were impossible! Her style and methods of communicating helped us to examine ourselves and reestablish our relationship. Truly a God-send!
Cary Mar 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I have worked with Brittney Peiffer and cannot recommend her enough! She is attentive and and knowledgable, and genuinely cares for people and their well-being. She is able to provide guidance without judgement - and she has a special talent for building rapport with her clients. I would recommend Brittney to family and friends without hesitation.  She is an incredible asset to the Thriveworks Team!
Read more I have worked with Brittney Peiffer and cannot recommend her enough! She is attentive and and knowledgable, and genuinely cares for people and their well-being. She is able to provide guidance without judgement - and she has a special talent for building rapport with her clients. I would recommend Brittney to family and friends without hesitation.  She is an incredible asset to the Thriveworks Team!
Cary Mar 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Nicole Kilpatrick is a veryy warm straight fowarded person who has a heart to help others. She is very passionate about the services she provides. She is warm, friendly, private and loyalty is outstanding. She is a giver in many ways and it comes from her heart.
Read more Nicole Kilpatrick is a veryy warm straight fowarded person who has a heart to help others. She is very passionate about the services she provides. She is warm, friendly, private and loyalty is outstanding. She is a giver in many ways and it comes from her heart.
Cary Jan 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Nicole Kilpatrick is amazing! She actually listens to what you say and helps YOU figure out what steps need to be taken. A good counselor does not judge or makes you feel less than....this is Nicole
Read more Nicole Kilpatrick is amazing! She actually listens to what you say and helps YOU figure out what steps need to be taken. A good counselor does not judge or makes you feel less than....this is Nicole
Cary Jan 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Nicole Kilpatrick is a phenomenal therapist that is all about making sure her clients needs are met. She is very personable, professional and just a great listener. She wants to know you as a "whole" person and challenges you to be your best person. She is all about staying motivated while moving through the healing process. Anyone can benefit from her expertise and her stellar tips and strategies!!! She is so intuitive and knowledgeable. I give her the highest rating!!
Read more Nicole Kilpatrick is a phenomenal therapist that is all about making sure her clients needs are met. She is very personable, professional and just a great listener. She wants to know you as a "whole" person and challenges you to be your best person. She is all about staying motivated while moving through the healing process. Anyone can benefit from her expertise and her stellar tips and strategies!!! She is so intuitive and knowledgeable. I give her the highest rating!!
Cary Jan 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
My family has had the pleasure of working with Nicole at this company. She is a great therapist and easy to talk to to. She was attentive to our needs and helped us to work through our issues during a very difficult time. Nicole is friendly and experienced in her treatment modalities. We would definitely continue to see her and recommend her to families that are experiencing hardships and need someone to provide support and assurance.
Read more My family has had the pleasure of working with Nicole at this company. She is a great therapist and easy to talk to to. She was attentive to our needs and helped us to work through our issues during a very difficult time. Nicole is friendly and experienced in her treatment modalities. We would definitely continue to see her and recommend her to families that are experiencing hardships and need someone to provide support and assurance.
Cary Nov 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I highly recommend V. Nicole. She is so compassionate, easy to talk to, and has very practical information to provide about how to manage the stress of life. I highly recommend!
Read more I highly recommend V. Nicole. She is so compassionate, easy to talk to, and has very practical information to provide about how to manage the stress of life. I highly recommend!
Cary Nov 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry is located off of SW Maynard Rd, near the intersection of Maynard and Kildaire Farm Rd and just north of Big Lots. We're next to Pit Stop Express Lube & Inspection, Vapor Max, and Village Cleaners, and across the street from May Laundromat and La Michoacana Bakery. The closest bus stop is Kildaire Farm Rd at SE Maynard Rd.

Phone number

(919) 822-8286

Languages spoken by NC providers

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

Shown in ET

Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm

Shown in ET

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