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 49 therapists in North Carolina available for an online or in-person session.
Kathy Pendlay

Hear from Kathy Pendlay, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (LCMHC-A)

View Kathy Pendlay's profile

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

A go-to approach for helping people in dialectical behavior therapy is to work on normalizing their emotions and then learning new approaches to help clients solve their problems.

What tools do you teach in dialectical behavior therapy?

The following tools are taught in dialectical behavior therapy:

  • Mindfulness - The ability to practice awareness of one's thoughts and feelings
  • Distress Tolerance - To accept and understand the stress one experiences while staying away from unproductive coping behaviors
  • Emotional Regulation - Identify feelings, work through them, and release them
  • Internal Effectiveness - Improving relationships through assertive communication to increase expression of needs and feelings; learn how to have healthier relationships; and setting boundaries in them

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

A possible sign that a client is making meaningful progress in dialectical behavior therapy is reported increase of sense of satisfaction and meaningfulness in their view of life, themselves, and their relationships. Along with this, a client may report how they have consistently been applying the tools that have led to improved behaviors and relationships.

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

Clients can use a DBT workbook, journal, read books, listen to videos, practice self-care, and practice the skills they have learned on a daily basis.

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

One can listen, do research on what to expect from DBT, and write a list of questions and topics they would like to discuss with therapist.

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 Cornelius, 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 Cornelius 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 Cornelius
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
★★★★★
Krystal made my first session very comfortable and welcoming. Her goal is to get the best version of yourself she can. I can’t thank her enough for saving my life when I didn’t even know how desperate I was to be saved. HIGHLY recommend her services.
Read more Krystal made my first session very comfortable and welcoming. Her goal is to get the best version of yourself she can. I can’t thank her enough for saving my life when I didn’t even know how desperate I was to be saved. HIGHLY recommend her services.
Belinda Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I personally didn’t think therapy would work for me but I gave thriveworks a shot and do not regret it! They truly know how to figure out the problem and will work with you to find multiple solutions. Everyone that works there is so nice, from the phone operators to the actual therapists. Don’t sit on the fence about your mental health!
Read more I personally didn’t think therapy would work for me but I gave thriveworks a shot and do not regret it! They truly know how to figure out the problem and will work with you to find multiple solutions. Everyone that works there is so nice, from the phone operators to the actual therapists. Don’t sit on the fence about your mental health!
Parker Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Kathy Pendlay is a compassionate, knowledgeable counselor. She is a great listener and understands how complicated life can be. She provides helpful, practical insights for dealing with difficult people and situations.
Read more Kathy Pendlay is a compassionate, knowledgeable counselor. She is a great listener and understands how complicated life can be. She provides helpful, practical insights for dealing with difficult people and situations.
Cornelius Apr 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Clair Crow is warm and caring. She is exactly the therapist that makes you feel comfortable from the start.
Read more Clair Crow is warm and caring. She is exactly the therapist that makes you feel comfortable from the start.
Cornelius Oct 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Cornelius is located off of W Catawba Ava in Johnsbury Square. We are in the same building as Jo Anne Barron, Southern Homes of the Carolinas. Nearby businesses include Artistic Interior Design and Goodwill.

Phone number

(980) 217-8678

Languages spoken by NC providers

  • English
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
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

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
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm

Shown in ET

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