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Offered in-person & online

Our therapists offer DBT / dialectical behavior therapy in Lexington, MA

Start in-person or online sessions with a provider you can trust. We accept most major insurances. Book online or by giving us a call

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4,690 people sought dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) help in Massachusetts 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

11  therapists available in Lexington

As a transgender woman, I understand the personal, interpersonal, and systemic difficulties that can arise when living authentical...

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As a survivor of many adverse childhood experiences, I have an authentic understanding of the impact trauma can have throughout ou...

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Why does everything have to be a syndrome or a disorder? Maybe you're just interesting and cool....

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I firmly believe that everyone deserves to be heard, understood, and supported....

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As a multi-cultural counselor, I recognize the importance of respecting cultural, sexual, and gender diversity....

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As a queer-identified woman and first generation immigrant, I empathize with the experiences of those processing complex and nuanc...

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Pinelopi Dovinos is a psychotherapist with a Master’s Degree in Social Work and Certification in Gender and sexuality (queer stu...

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I am grateful for the long life I’ve lived so far and hopeful for many more years. Through clients and coworkers, I’ve learned tha...

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As a young woman who has allowed self-esteem, confidence, and anxiety to get in the way of life, I understand how difficult it can...

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Like you, I hold many identities (i.e. queer, neurodivergent, female, etc) and I recognize that each of your unique identities is ...

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Joy Gallon

Hear from Joy Gallon, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)

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

My general approach with dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is to carefully assess whether a structured skills-based approach is helpful for a particular client. If I believe the skills would be helpful, I introduce DBT to the person, educating them about the various skills, my approach, and different ways we could structure sessions to include skill building. I also emphasize the need for practicing the skills between sessions, which helps clients make a good decision about their own preferences in treatment.

What tools do you teach in dialectical behavior therapy?

In DBT, I teach the following tools:

  • Mindfulness
  • Distress tolerance
  • Emotion regulation
  • Interpersonal effectiveness
Each tool is an array of skills, all of which are built on the foundation of mindfulness. I try to expose people to as many of the skills as possible, as each person resonates with different ones that combine to create a personalized plan and their own “go-to” skills.

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

I can tell when a client is making meaningful progress in DBT when they are able to give examples of times between sessions when they used a particular skill or skills and found it helpful. Over time, with repetitive use of some skills, clients often begin to internalize them and use them automatically, which is one of the goals.

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

Clients can supplement their time in DBT by practicing the skills and using a workbook-based approach to expand their skills.

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

To prepare for their first DBT session, an individual can review the provided materials ahead of the session and write down any questions they would like addressed in the session.

Starting Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) in Lexington

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 Lexington, MA 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 Lexington accept 28 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Aetna Medicare Advantage

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

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts | BCBS

  • Carelon

  • Carelon | Medicare Advantage

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Compsych

  • Fallon Health | Medicare Advantage

  • Firefly Health Plan | Cigna PPO Network

  • First Health Network

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Self-pay costs at Lexington
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

4.9 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
Very open and honest environment
Evan Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Thriveworks as a tool to find a provider is fantastic. Virtual therapy is not for everyone and was a hurtle for me. Knowing if there are in person providers would be a great addition.
Phil Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Esther Schwartz is the most effective therapist I've seen in over two decades of seeing therapists. She both supports me and challenges me to grow.
Elizabeth Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★
Calm style, responsive, open, friendly
Marcia Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Tracy is amazing- genuine care in what's going on
Samantha Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Love how flexible Tracy is - she listens to what is going on, remembers things I've mentioned in the past, checks my PSQ9 scores before session and incorporates that into our conversations, and is a great sounding board.
Stephanie Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I have been thinking clearer and having this safe space to talk with someone has really helped me feel like myself again and I'm looking forward to the future!
Joseph Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Esther is amazing. She is incredibly empathetic, understanding, compassionate, and honest. Her educational style and approach to conversations helps me process grief and provides me with thoughtful insight that I use to better understand my feelings. I am so lucky to have connected with Esther, I admire her ability to connect and coach with an open mind and heart.
Read more Esther is amazing. She is incredibly empathetic, understanding, compassionate, and honest. Her educational style and approach to conversations helps me process grief and provides me with thoughtful insight that I use to better understand my feelings. I am so lucky to have connected with Esther, I admire her ability to connect and coach with an open mind and heart.
Kristine Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Lexington is located off of Massachusetts Ave. We share a building with other businesses, including Clay Oven and Limited to Endodontics. Our office is on the second floor. Across the street is a post office.

Phone number

(781) 386-0443

Languages spoken by MA providers

  • English
  • Spanish
  • Mandarin
  • Farsi
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
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:30pm

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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
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:30pm

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