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1,915 people sought dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) help in Pennsylvania 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 66 therapists in Pennsylvania available for an online or in-person session.
Mark Bingel McKillips

Hear from Mark Bingel McKillips, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

View Mark Bingel McKillips's profile

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

I use DBT in my practice as a supplementary treatment modality, a guide for ethical treatment standards, and a catalog of coping skills that can benefit clients with differing symptoms. DBT was specifically designed for use in the treatment of individuals with borderline personality disorder, but can be adapted to work with individuals with various treatment needs. While the creator of the modality encourages the flexible use of the treatment's components, practicing the modality requires individual therapy, skills group instruction, and 24/7 skills coaching. As such, I use DBT-related interventions and theories to enrich my practice when aspects of the treatment are called for. The core value of nonjudgment central to DBT theory is something I strive to embrace with all of my clients.

What tools do you teach in dialectical behavior therapy?

Some of the DBT-related skills that I introduce are emotional regulation skills, such as the FTIP skills. I also incorporate concepts such as radical acceptance and taking opposite action.

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

I know a client is making meaningful progress when they are meeting their treatment goals and objectives.

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

Practicing skills in the moment is important for skill integration. A client can know all of the skills available; however, if they cannot access them when they need them, the knowledge is pointless.

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

Clients preparing for therapy should take a risk and come with an open mind. Usually, clients find that the process is much less intimidating than they think it might be.

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 Philadelphia, PA 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 Philadelphia therapists and counselors accept 40 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Ambetter from Pennsylvania Health and Wellness

  • AmeriHealth Administrators

  • AmeriHealth Medicare Advantage

  • AmeriHealth Pennsylvania

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

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Self-pay costs at Philadelphia
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 think Marla is Excellent for helping me out! Listens! Helps out in everyway!
Dennis Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I think Marla is an Excellent Therapist!! She listened. And really helps me at this point!@
Dennis Dec 2023
Thriveworks.com verified review

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Philadelphia is off of Ludlow Street and S 40th Street. We are near Smoke Shop Convenience and Locust Moon Comics.

Phone number

(267) 440-7066

Languages spoken by PA providers

  • English
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
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm

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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
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

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