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686,000 people sought help with Thriveworks 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 24 therapists in Illinois available for an online or in-person session.
Danielle Jacobson

Hear from Danielle Jacobson, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

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

DBT is an all-encompassing therapy where the clinician should be available often to help the client manage emotional storms.

What tools do you teach in dialectical behavior therapy?

Tools to use for DBT include journaling and self-talk, among others.

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

One would know a client is making good progress when they have fewer episodes of emotional dysregulation and are able to manage them fairly easily on their own.

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

Clients should practice mindfulness and learn healthy ways to self-soothe.

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

To prepare for DBT, clients should be prepared to talk openly about negative thoughts and be prepared to trust the process.

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 Chicago, IL 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 Chicago therapists and counselors accept 26 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois BCBS | HMO - Essential Health Partners IPA

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois BCBS | HMO - Essential Health Partners Kane County

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois BCBS | HMO - Essential Health Partners Silver Cross

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois BCBS | PPO

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

  • Choice Care (Humana)

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

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Self-pay costs at Chicago
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
★★★★★
Thriveworks is a phenomenal resource and their counselors are so helpful; I am doing so well because of them and the affordability of pertinent care.
Read more Thriveworks is a phenomenal resource and their counselors are so helpful; I am doing so well because of them and the affordability of pertinent care.
Kara Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
David is an excellent listener and truly listens actively when you are speaking. He has clinical skills that can help anyone open up and displays empathy with a focus to help you improve and identify goals to work towards full potential. Dave provides a solution focused approach that helps you create better problem solving skills. I would recommend David as a clinician as he has a passion to help others!
Read more David is an excellent listener and truly listens actively when you are speaking. He has clinical skills that can help anyone open up and displays empathy with a focus to help you improve and identify goals to work towards full potential. Dave provides a solution focused approach that helps you create better problem solving skills. I would recommend David as a clinician as he has a passion to help others!
Chicago Feb 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Dave is passionate and works hard to help his clients! He has the needed experience to help you.
Read more Dave is passionate and works hard to help his clients! He has the needed experience to help you.
Chicago Feb 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
David Fletcher Janzen is a wonderful and engaging listener. I have benefited from his patience and direct feedback when he provided weekly supervision. He has the passion to develop others and promotes in depth reflection, independence and increased insight. David relates well and is a kind individual willing to provide advise and help to those seeking. I highly recommend David in the role as a therapist!
Read more David Fletcher Janzen is a wonderful and engaging listener. I have benefited from his patience and direct feedback when he provided weekly supervision. He has the passion to develop others and promotes in depth reflection, independence and increased insight. David relates well and is a kind individual willing to provide advise and help to those seeking. I highly recommend David in the role as a therapist!
Chicago Feb 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Chicago is located on N Michigan Ave, near the intersection of Michigan and E Lower Wacker Dr and on the south side of the Chicago River. Our office is right next to Starbucks and Blackhawks Store, and our building neighbors the Chicago Architecture Center and Quantum Crossings. The closest bus stop is directly in front of our building at Michigan & E. Wacker.

Phone number

(630) 454-0672

Languages spoken by IL providers

  • Vietnamese
  • English
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm
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

Shown in CT

Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm
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

Shown in CT

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