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3,571 people sought dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) help in Virginia 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 62 therapists in Virginia available for an online or in-person session.
Sarah Kate Hawkins

Hear from Sarah Kate Hawkins, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

View Sarah Kate Hawkins's profile

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

My go-to approach for helping people in dialectical behavior therapy is for them to balance their efforts to accept and change whatever is causing them anxiety and/or depression. I find the best benefit in explaining and teaching mindfulness and distress tolerance skills because with understanding comes action and change.

What tools do you teach in dialectical behavior therapy?

I teach the following tools in dialectical behavior therapy:

  • Mindfulness skills: Paying attention to your experiences in the here and now, resulting in living in the moment.
  • Emotion regulation skills: Better understanding your emotions, reducing vulnerability to negative emotions, and learning strategies to manage, accept, and/or change them.
  • Interpersonal effectiveness skills: Identifying and setting goals, needs, and wants within relationships.
  • Distress tolerance skills: Learning to tolerate and manage overwhelming emotions, thoughts, and situations and using coping/calming methods to accept yourself, your situation, and your experiences.

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 using the skills taught in therapy in their life. For example, accepting you are anxious and using your self-talk, self-love, and so forth to experience your feelings rather than getting busy to avoid them.

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

Clients can supplement their time in dialectical behavior therapy by practicing mindfulness through apps like Calm, taking a walk in nature to be in the moment, and hugging themselves.

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

To prepare for their first dialectical behavior therapy session, an individual can be open to sharing themselves.

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).

What\'s better: CBT or DBT?

The selection between Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) hinges on an individual’s distinct requirements and the specific nature of their concerns. CBT is commonly preferred for a broad spectrum of conditions like anxiety and depression, whereas DBT stands out in aiding individuals dealing with borderline personality disorder and challenges associated with emotional regulation.

Is DBT conducted in person or online?

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) with therapists at Thriveworks in Chesapeake, VA 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 Chesapeake therapists and counselors accept 25 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia Medicare Advantage

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Humana Exchange

  • Humana HMO/POS

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Self-pay costs at Chesapeake
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
★★★★★
Sarah Hawkins is a very compassionate person. She always encouraged me to try my hardest to solved my problems using her advise. I am bless for having her as my therapist.
Read more Sarah Hawkins is a very compassionate person. She always encouraged me to try my hardest to solved my problems using her advise. I am bless for having her as my therapist.
Sarah Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I find the sessions to be quite beneficial. I feel that I am progressing alone nicely.
Eugene Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Andrea Stephen is a kind and compassionate counselor. She listens to her clients intently, because she genuinely cares. Her passion to help those who are hurting is what motivates her. She is an asset to the Mental Health industry.
Read more Andrea Stephen is a kind and compassionate counselor. She listens to her clients intently, because she genuinely cares. Her passion to help those who are hurting is what motivates her. She is an asset to the Mental Health industry.
Chesapeake Oct 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I would like to sing the praises of Andrea Stephen and give her a big shout-out for a job well done!!! I have had the pleasure of studying with her in multiple classes, as a fellow student in the counseling program. Later on, we serendipitously worked alongside each other in the field. Andrea is a genuine listener, faithful encourager, and a beacon of hope. She is a counselor who truly cares about her clients and wants to see them thrive.
Read more I would like to sing the praises of Andrea Stephen and give her a big shout-out for a job well done!!! I have had the pleasure of studying with her in multiple classes, as a fellow student in the counseling program. Later on, we serendipitously worked alongside each other in the field. Andrea is a genuine listener, faithful encourager, and a beacon of hope. She is a counselor who truly cares about her clients and wants to see them thrive.
Chesapeake Oct 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I've had the pleasure of working with Tammy Boone for about 5 months now and it has been a wonderful journey. She has challenged me to do the work and express myself in ways I never thought was possible. She provides ways to cope with difficult situations without being judgmental. I couldn't have asked for a better clinician!
Read more I've had the pleasure of working with Tammy Boone for about 5 months now and it has been a wonderful journey. She has challenged me to do the work and express myself in ways I never thought was possible. She provides ways to cope with difficult situations without being judgmental. I couldn't have asked for a better clinician!
Chesapeake Feb 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Dr. P. Jones, I can only say that she is simply the best!!! I found Dr. Jones in a rush, she had authentic concern for the situation, she went over and WELL ABOVE assisting us with our needs. She was our angel during this process!!!
Read more Dr. P. Jones, I can only say that she is simply the best!!! I found Dr. Jones in a rush, she had authentic concern for the situation, she went over and WELL ABOVE assisting us with our needs. She was our angel during this process!!!
Chesapeake Jan 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I have had the pleasure of working with Dr. Jones for the past 9 months. She is incredibly genuine and easy to confide in, even over our online sessions. She was able to help me through a difficult time and I will truly miss my sessions with her. I highly recommend her services. Thank you Dr. Jones!
Read more I have had the pleasure of working with Dr. Jones for the past 9 months. She is incredibly genuine and easy to confide in, even over our online sessions. She was able to help me through a difficult time and I will truly miss my sessions with her. I highly recommend her services. Thank you Dr. Jones!
Chesapeake Dec 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Close out review with Dr. Patricia Jones. Outstanding service and was extremely helpful in giving me several techniques that I can use. Having video sessions was very convenient and effective. Highly recommend Dr. Jones just for her listening skills and the ability to relate to what you are going through. Very passionate about her job and you will not be disappointed when selecting her as your counselor!
Read more Close out review with Dr. Patricia Jones. Outstanding service and was extremely helpful in giving me several techniques that I can use. Having video sessions was very convenient and effective. Highly recommend Dr. Jones just for her listening skills and the ability to relate to what you are going through. Very passionate about her job and you will not be disappointed when selecting her as your counselor!
Chesapeake Sep 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Chesapeake is near Zero’s Subs, and shares an office building with Pamela Smith MD. We off of Poplar Hill Road, and across from Bedei Compounding Pharmacy Services.

Phone number

(757) 210-9381

Languages spoken by VA providers

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

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

Shown in ET

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