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1,103 people sought dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) help in Florida 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 47 therapists in Florida available for an online or in-person session.
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)

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

Our Gainesville therapists and counselors accept 23 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Florida Blue | BCBS | Blue Cross Blue Shield

  • Humana Exchange

  • Humana HMO/POS

  • Humana Medicare Advantage

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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 cannot sing the praises of Thriveworks any louder; I have three professionals guiding me through a really rough time in my life. I didn't know how much I "needed" therapy until they started helping me see myself an my situations in an honest light. I look forward to continued growth with the support and guidance of my amazing team.
Read more I cannot sing the praises of Thriveworks any louder; I have three professionals guiding me through a really rough time in my life. I didn't know how much I "needed" therapy until they started helping me see myself an my situations in an honest light. I look forward to continued growth with the support and guidance of my amazing team.
Robin Feb 2024
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

  • 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

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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

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