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2,865 people sought dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) help in Florida 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

7  therapists available in Gainesville

As a woman of color, I understand the unique issues of dealing with social and environmental conflicts....

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As a married mother of 3, I understand the challenges of life and family, as well as the anxiety and depression that can be caused...

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I’ve learned that having a safe, judgment-free space to explore your experience can be crucial in times of stress....

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As a new mom coming from a unique family, I have a fresh perspective when working with families, couples, children, and individual...

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My role is to provide a safe, non-judgmental, supportive environment that will allow you to grow in awareness of yourself and modi...

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As a compassionate and experienced queer woman of color, I'm here to help you thrive through life's challenges....

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I believe in providing a safe, supportive, nonjudgmental, collaborative therapy space....

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Look for a confirmation email in your inbox shortly. We'll help find you a provider and guide you through everything you should know about starting care at Thriveworks.

Victoria Baca Villagomez

Hear from Victoria Baca Villagomez, Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)

View Victoria Baca Villagomez's profile

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

The pillars of DBT are mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. This is a skills-based treatment model and there is a lot of psychoeducation involved. People that benefit the most from this approach are individuals struggling to control very intense emotions. Difficulty in emotional regulation can lead to suicidal ideation, self-harm, substance use, binge eating, and difficulty managing interpersonal relationships.

What tools do you teach in dialectical behavior therapy?

Each treatment stage comes with several tools. Some of the tools that I use the most are:

  • Crisis coping skills to deescalate intense emotions: dive response, self-soothing with 5 senses, STOP skill, paired muscle relaxation
  • Emotional regulation: check the facts with opposite action
  • Distress tolerance: radical acceptance
  • Interpersonal effectiveness: communication skills, learning to set boundaries, ending destructive relationships

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

Improvement in emotional regulation can be observed by a decrease or an absence of suicidal thoughts/self-harm/impulsive or risky behaviors, improved interpersonal relationships, more flexibility with changes in life, and overall processing emotions in healthier ways.

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

It depends — every client is different. One person could supplement DBT with meditation and breathing practices; other people could benefit from other modalities of therapy (group, family, couples) or self-help groups.

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

Clients need to be ready to practice DBT tools outside of the therapy session; homework is a very important part of treatment.

Starting Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) in Gainesville

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 Gainesville, FL 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 360+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our therapists and counselors in Gainesville accept 27 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Aetna Medicare Advantage

  • AvMed

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Carelon

  • Carelon | Medicare Advantage

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • Devoted Health | Medicare Advantage

  • Firefly Health Plan | Cigna PPO Network

  • First Health Network

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Self-pay costs at Gainesville
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 love Thriveworks! I appreciate all the reminders for my upcoming appointments! It really helps!. My Provider, Vanessa Cumber, is outstanding. She remembers the things I've shared and follows up to see how they went. She cares greatly about my progress with everything I am working on, and is truly happy for me when I can use my tools and manage my anxiety better. Vanessa's empathy and humor are such a wonderful gift to me! She is so smart and has such wisdom, too!
Read more I love Thriveworks! I appreciate all the reminders for my upcoming appointments! It really helps!. My Provider, Vanessa Cumber, is outstanding. She remembers the things I've shared and follows up to see how they went. She cares greatly about my progress with everything I am working on, and is truly happy for me when I can use my tools and manage my anxiety better. Vanessa's empathy and humor are such a wonderful gift to me! She is so smart and has such wisdom, too!
Theresa Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Having a straight shooter for a therapist. I need someone to always be honest with me.
Angela Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Vanessa is compassionate & helpful. She helps me stay accountable to my growth goals in a gentle, encouraging way.
Alicia Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I appreciate the advice and understanding of the providers.
Michael Jun 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Vanessa Cumber has so much wisdom to share! She is an outstanding listener, incredibly empathetic, and the phrases she uses are very impactful in my life. . When I am anxious, I remember her words, and they calm me. She explains the why, of what I'm feeling. It truly helps to know the science behind my former trauma, and what triggers it today. Vanessa has educated me so much on what the research says. I've learned a ton about the brain.. I've told all of my friends about Vanessa, and they'd love to have a therapist like her! What a kind, caring, tremendous talent she is!
Read more Vanessa Cumber has so much wisdom to share! She is an outstanding listener, incredibly empathetic, and the phrases she uses are very impactful in my life. . When I am anxious, I remember her words, and they calm me. She explains the why, of what I'm feeling. It truly helps to know the science behind my former trauma, and what triggers it today. Vanessa has educated me so much on what the research says. I've learned a ton about the brain.. I've told all of my friends about Vanessa, and they'd love to have a therapist like her! What a kind, caring, tremendous talent she is!
Theresa Jun 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
She's very easy to talk to. Great person!
Arlene Jun 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Overall I just love how my therapist always has different tools available for me on hand and how she's allowed me to take my time easing into different scenarios and situations
Amari Jun 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
She is utterly amazing and compassionate! Kimberly is the best!
Karen Jun 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Gainesville is at the corner of NW 39th Avenue and NW 43rd Street. We are across the street from Truist, and share an office building with Swift Creek Realty.

Phone number

(352) 469-4507

Languages spoken by FL providers

  • Telugu
  • English
  • Spanish
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:30pm

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

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