Image of a therapist and client in a counseling session.

3,571 people sought dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) help in Virginia 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

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS PPO, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia Medicare Advantage, +22 more
Anger, Sexual Abuse, Relationships, Anxiety, Trauma / PTSD

After 27 years, I have learned that everyone needs help. It can be difficult to ask for help, but I am here when you are ready.

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS PPO, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia Medicare Advantage, +21 more
Chronic Illness, Medical / Health Issues, Behavioral Issues, Coping Skills, Self Esteem, +7 more

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS PPO, Cigna | Evernorth, +3 more
Coping Skills, Self Esteem, Stress, Women’s Issues, Addiction, +7 more

As a Latina woman, wife, and mother of 5, I understand the vast array of challenges that come with juggling different roles and responsibilities in yo... As a Latina woman, wife, and mother of 5, I understand the vast array of challenges that come with juggling different roles and responsibilities in your life. Read more

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS PPO, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia Medicare Advantage, +23 more
Anger, Coping Skills, Self Esteem, Stress, Women’s Issues, +6 more

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS PPO, Cigna | Evernorth, +3 more
Narcissism, Anger, Coping Skills, Infidelity, Stress, +6 more

I keep abreast of the most recent research on how trauma impacts the brain, body, and behaviors.

Hear from our clinicians

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

Lisette: My go-to approach for helping people using dialectical behavior therapy is to follow the four main tenets of DBT (mindfulness, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance). What I love about this type of therapy is that it brings two seemingly opposing thoughts or ideas together and allows them to exist in the same space. For example, a client can bring the emotional and rational sides of their mind together and have them work together in harmony, which we call “Wise Mind.” This allows a client to find a lot more inner harmony and reduce that feeling of internal discord. It also teaches clients a lot of tangible skills, which they can practice and master through this type of therapy.

Jasmine: I prefer to utilize a DBT approach for individuals struggling with emotional regulation. When using this approach, we focus on practicing self-awareness and validating one's own emotions, learning distress tolerance techniques, and developing skills to manage those emotions in various situations.

What tools do you teach in dialectical behavior therapy?

Lisette: The main tenets of DBT are emotion regulation, mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance. I start with teaching clients mindfulness, and then we move on to other topics that would be most helpful based on their needs. Examples of specific skills are calming skills, self-advocacy, crisis survival skills, and de-escalation. DBT offers a lot of strategies and skills that a client will develop and master during their work in counseling.

Jasmine: When using a DBT approach, I teach my clients a whole lot of mindfulness and grounding techniques, such as body scans to raise awareness of both mental and physical symptoms in response to stressors, utilizing all 5 senses for grounding, using the feelings wheel to explore and name various emotions, and developing an imaginary “toolbox” to store all healthy coping skills for self-soothing.

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

Lisette: I know a client is making meaningful progress in dialectical behavior therapy when they feel more in control of their emotions and are able to use their Wise Mind (bringing together rational and emotional minds). They will feel better able to handle distressing situations and will put the skills they learned into practice. They will also be more mindful and present with themselves.

Jasmine: One of the ways that I see progress in treatment with DBT is when my clients start to develop a wide vocabulary for their emotions and take effective and necessary steps to manage those emotions.

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

Lisette: Clients can supplement their time in dialectical behavior therapy with take-home exercises which can help them put these skills into practice in their lives. One of the best parts of this type of therapy is that there is a lot of real-world application of these skills and the therapist can send the client home with tasks and skills to practice on their own.

Jasmine: When using a DBT approach in treatment, I encourage my clients to practice mindfulness techniques and self-care on their own time.

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

Lisette: To prepare for their first dialectical behavior therapy session, an individual can reflect on patterns in their lives and identify ways in which they have not been mindful of their lives or how their emotions have controlled their lives. The most effective way for this therapy to work is for the client to practice the skills outside of the session.

Jasmine: For someone interested in DBT, I encourage them to come to the session with openness and a good amount of motivation for personal growth.

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 Midlothian, VA 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 Midlothian therapists and counselors accept 29 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia Medicare Advantage

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS HMO

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | Exchange

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS HMO

  • CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

Show more
Self-pay costs at Midlothian
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 my counselor. She's been very helpful in me navigating the grief of losing my mother and other family issues. I highly recommend Thriveworks!
Read more I love my counselor. She's been very helpful in me navigating the grief of losing my mother and other family issues. I highly recommend Thriveworks!
Kristina Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I have known Dena Wentz for many years. She is a compassionate and insightful advocate for everyone she encounters. She fully listens to you when you talk and is perceptive enough to take each individual's life situation into context. Instead of using a "one size fits all" approach, Dena truly works to understand each person's unique position and how that affects her or him on a larger scale. With Dena, I always feel appreciated and supported!
Read more I have known Dena Wentz for many years. She is a compassionate and insightful advocate for everyone she encounters. She fully listens to you when you talk and is perceptive enough to take each individual's life situation into context. Instead of using a "one size fits all" approach, Dena truly works to understand each person's unique position and how that affects her or him on a larger scale. With Dena, I always feel appreciated and supported!
Midlothian Aug 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I have worked with Mrs. Dena Wentz for over a decade. During this time, she has always been an extremely stable positive force in our clinic. Her sense of fairness and common sense is beyond reproach and she keeps us all grounded in our approaches to various patient care circumstances. She often makes us stop and think about where the patient is coming from when we are frustrated with a patient's lack of compliance or adherence to recommended therapies. She is the kind of person you want to listen to your difficulties and concerns because she is such a caring and empathetic person. She will then make significant efforts to provide you with solutions. She is also a very thoughtful cheerleader and motivator for our team and makes sure to mark our achievements and our professional acknowledgments. She has frequently been there for me when I have struggled to work with patients and helped facilitate the communication channels I need to accomplish my role. I highly value my relationship with Dena we all are fortunate to have her on our team!
Read more I have worked with Mrs. Dena Wentz for over a decade. During this time, she has always been an extremely stable positive force in our clinic. Her sense of fairness and common sense is beyond reproach and she keeps us all grounded in our approaches to various patient care circumstances. She often makes us stop and think about where the patient is coming from when we are frustrated with a patient's lack of compliance or adherence to recommended therapies. She is the kind of person you want to listen to your difficulties and concerns because she is such a caring and empathetic person. She will then make significant efforts to provide you with solutions. She is also a very thoughtful cheerleader and motivator for our team and makes sure to mark our achievements and our professional acknowledgments. She has frequently been there for me when I have struggled to work with patients and helped facilitate the communication channels I need to accomplish my role. I highly value my relationship with Dena we all are fortunate to have her on our team!
Midlothian May 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Giovonni is a wonderful person- professionally and personally! She cares for her clients with so much positive energy, while also meeting them where they are. I am grateful to know her as a professional & wish her all the best!
Read more Giovonni is a wonderful person- professionally and personally! She cares for her clients with so much positive energy, while also meeting them where they are. I am grateful to know her as a professional & wish her all the best!
Midlothian Oct 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Stephen Handley is such a great guy to work with. He is consistently helpful and caring throughout all of our conversations. I highly recommend him for anyone but especially adolescents and young men. He has helped me tremendously.
Read more Stephen Handley is such a great guy to work with. He is consistently helpful and caring throughout all of our conversations. I highly recommend him for anyone but especially adolescents and young men. He has helped me tremendously.
Midlothian Sep 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Dr. CAMILLE BRENKE HAS CHANGED MY LIFE FOR THE GOOD. HER CHOICE OF MEDS HAS BEEN BETTER THAN ANY DOCTOR I HAVE SEEN. ALSO VERY NICE AND KIND.
Read more Dr. CAMILLE BRENKE HAS CHANGED MY LIFE FOR THE GOOD. HER CHOICE OF MEDS HAS BEEN BETTER THAN ANY DOCTOR I HAVE SEEN. ALSO VERY NICE AND KIND.
Midlothian Jun 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
It is such a pleasure to write a review for Erica Stewart. She truly has a heart for people. She serves others with an unselfish heart and listens without judgment. She has helped me tremendously through the years and I know she will continue to help others through their journey.
Read more It is such a pleasure to write a review for Erica Stewart. She truly has a heart for people. She serves others with an unselfish heart and listens without judgment. She has helped me tremendously through the years and I know she will continue to help others through their journey.
Midlothian Sep 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Ms. Erica Stewart, LCSW is an outstanding clinician. I have had the opportunity to see her work in action over many years while serving as a fellow clinician in the community. She is skillful and talented in many area including the field of counseling. More importantly - she cares about those she provides services to in counseling. She has a warm, caring and positive demeanor/nature and is one who has always gone beyond the call of duty to be of assistance to others. She has worked with many populations and helped clients and persons in the community to reach their personalized goals regardless of one's situation, culture, race or socio-economic status. Regardless of who you are - if you are seeking caring, skillful and compassionate services to help you during a time of difficulty, Ms. Stewart is an outstanding option to turn when seeking services. She is an asset to the great Thriveworks Midlothian Team. Ms. E. Stewart, LCSW is highly recommended with a 5+*, A+ rating.
Read more Ms. Erica Stewart, LCSW is an outstanding clinician. I have had the opportunity to see her work in action over many years while serving as a fellow clinician in the community. She is skillful and talented in many area including the field of counseling. More importantly - she cares about those she provides services to in counseling. She has a warm, caring and positive demeanor/nature and is one who has always gone beyond the call of duty to be of assistance to others. She has worked with many populations and helped clients and persons in the community to reach their personalized goals regardless of one's situation, culture, race or socio-economic status. Regardless of who you are - if you are seeking caring, skillful and compassionate services to help you during a time of difficulty, Ms. Stewart is an outstanding option to turn when seeking services. She is an asset to the great Thriveworks Midlothian Team. Ms. E. Stewart, LCSW is highly recommended with a 5+*, A+ rating.
Midlothian Sep 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Midlothian is located on Village Mill Dr, just off of the Midlothian Turnpike and west of Midlothian Mines Park and Stonehenge Golf and Country Club. We're currently sharing a building with Two Men and a Truck, and are neighbored by Christine W. Seliskar, M.D., FAAP, Padgett Properties - Real Estate Sales & Property Management, and Capital Ale House. If you have trouble finding our office or have any questions about how to get here, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Phone number

(804) 537-2024

Languages spoken by VA providers

  • Hindi
  • Urdu
  • English
  • Dutch
  • Tagalog
  • Filipino
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
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

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
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm

Shown in ET

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