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686,000 people sought help with Thriveworks in the last year

Discover how starting dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Connecticut | BCBS, Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card), +16 more
Anger, Behavioral Issues, Coping Skills, Infidelity, Men’s Issues, +10 more

27 more therapists available in Connecticut

Give us a call to schedule your next appointment, or browse through our full list of available providers.

Cristina Perera

Hear from Cristina Perera, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT)

View Cristina Perera's profile

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

I believe in an eclectic approach, seeing everyone as their own person. DBT groups can be very effective for clients who have experienced success with DBT. The approach uses specific strategies like mindfulness, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance, to name a few.

What tools do you teach in dialectical behavior therapy?

Self-validation is a very helpful tool for those struggling with self-esteem issues or relying on others to feel validated.

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

Noticeable improvement in one's emotional tolerance naturally shows growth.

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

The DBT workbook has been reported to be very helpful for supplementing DBT outside of sessions.

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

Clients can research DBT and related techniques to be prepared going into the first session.

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 New Haven, CT 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 New Haven therapists and counselors accept 17 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Connecticut | BCBS

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Connecticut Medicare Advantage

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • Connecticare

  • Firefly Health Plan | Cigna PPO Network

  • First Health Network

  • Humana Medicare Advantage

  • JP Farley Corporation

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Self-pay costs at New Haven
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 dislike how it's difficult to see or edit your information on the website, and the fact that we can't do monthly payments instead of paying after every session is also irritating. My provider herself Marissa Ferrao is amazing and I appreciate her so much.
Read more I dislike how it's difficult to see or edit your information on the website, and the fact that we can't do monthly payments instead of paying after every session is also irritating. My provider herself Marissa Ferrao is amazing and I appreciate her so much.
Rebecca Mar 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Very easily accessible, great fit when it came to my specific provider.
Mackenzie Mar 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
The thing that I most appreciate is that I get postive feedback and with my therapist I feel he is my best friend. At first I was skeptical with a male therapist he's great and I am glad I am doing therapy now
Alicia Mar 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I always feel as if my questions, concerns, and problems are taken seriously. When in my first session I brought up that I was interested in an ADHD assessment, a statement that had made previous providers elsewhere uncomfortable/annoyed, Elina worked with me instantly to understand why I was interested in that assessment and when we realized it would be a good course of action, immediately helped me receive the help I needed in that area. I never felt as if she was without methods or strategies to help me work through something, especially once we had a breakthrough on the root of my issues. She celebrates my successes and provides comfort and advice on the way forward with my struggles. When I have set a goal that is hard for me to stick to but I ultimately want to achieve, she is consistent in checking in on my progress and helping me adjust my approach to make a completed goal a plausible future. Additionally, for years I have been unable to dissect how to approach the issue of having imposter syndrome, I only knew how to identify it. Elina is the first person to help me breakdown what I can do to help me work past my imposter syndrome and I am extremely grateful.
Read more I always feel as if my questions, concerns, and problems are taken seriously. When in my first session I brought up that I was interested in an ADHD assessment, a statement that had made previous providers elsewhere uncomfortable/annoyed, Elina worked with me instantly to understand why I was interested in that assessment and when we realized it would be a good course of action, immediately helped me receive the help I needed in that area. I never felt as if she was without methods or strategies to help me work through something, especially once we had a breakthrough on the root of my issues. She celebrates my successes and provides comfort and advice on the way forward with my struggles. When I have set a goal that is hard for me to stick to but I ultimately want to achieve, she is consistent in checking in on my progress and helping me adjust my approach to make a completed goal a plausible future. Additionally, for years I have been unable to dissect how to approach the issue of having imposter syndrome, I only knew how to identify it. Elina is the first person to help me breakdown what I can do to help me work past my imposter syndrome and I am extremely grateful.
London Mar 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Very helpful..
Leon Mar 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I started seeing Cristina after I suffered a tremendous loss. She has been a light in my healing journey and I feel so lucky to have connected with her. I cannot recommend her enough and know that anyone who has the fortune of receiving her care is in great hands!!
Read more I started seeing Cristina after I suffered a tremendous loss. She has been a light in my healing journey and I feel so lucky to have connected with her. I cannot recommend her enough and know that anyone who has the fortune of receiving her care is in great hands!!
New Haven Apr 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Cristina Perera is helping me in many ways to get out of my fears and insecurities in my life! I really will live appreciating her as a great therapist!!!
New Haven Mar 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Christina is one amazing counsler. She has helped tremendously with my marriage and business relationships.
New Haven Mar 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry New Haven is located off of Sherman Ave, just east of Monitor Square and west of the Hospital of St Raphael. We're inside the Sherman Medical Building, along with Renal Research Institute New Haven Home Dialysis and Quest Diagnostics. The closest bus stop is George St and Sherman Ave. 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

(203) 633-8772

Languages spoken by CT providers

  • Russian
  • English
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
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm

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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
Thursday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:30pm

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