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4,525 people sought dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) help in Pennsylvania 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

8  therapists available in Pittsburgh

As someone who has struggled with my own mental health, my approach is always to meet everyone exactly where they are to serve as ...

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As a therapist, I understand that it can be hard to open up to someone, but I want therapy to feel like getting a cup of coffee wi...

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As a mental health professional for about 15 years, I have worked with a variety of families and persons of all ages face many asp...

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It can be hard to find a safe place to open up and share your life. As one that has experience with a lot of different experiences...

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I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Pennsylvania who has been practicing since 2017....

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As a queer-identified therapist, with years of experience helping people achieve their goals and find their identities with pride,...

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Dzana Saynes is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) with over 25 years of experience helping adult clients who are coping with...

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Holly Blass is Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who works with her clients by meeting them at their pace and need level to ac...

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Look for a confirmation email in your inbox shortly. We'll help find you a provider and guide you through everything you should know about starting care at Thriveworks.

Molly Maureen Alvord

Hear from Molly Maureen Alvord, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

View Molly Maureen Alvord's profile

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

My go-to approach for helping people in therapy is to start where they are, meaning what prompted them to come to therapy and what is weighing on them the most. My style is eclectic, so I prefer to adapt my methods to meet their needs, and this changes as therapy progresses. While an eclectic approach works for many people, sometimes a more structured approach is needed. I will include DBT information and tools in sessions when helpful, but true DBT is a structured program that follows a set of guidelines and written materials to support the process, with a DBT-educated clinician guiding the process.

What tools do you teach in dialectical behavior therapy?

DBT is similar to CBT but has more of a focus on emotional self-regulation, distress tolerance, and acceptance of circumstances. Some of the tools in DBT include acronyms that help people remember the steps of the tools. Some examples include DEAR MAN, ACCEPTS, and IMPROVE.

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

A client is making meaningful progress when they report using skills that they learned in therapy successfully. Anytime someone reports that therapy is helping them feel better, that is progress. When clients use DBT skills, they often see improvement in their relationships with others because they are regulating their own emotions better. Even small positive changes to your perspective and behaviors will have a significant and meaningful impact on your life.

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

Clients can supplement their time in DBT therapy by reading articles or books to increase their knowledge and understanding. If you find information on your own, it is always a good idea to ask your therapist to confirm that the information is accurate, especially for information found on social media or online videos.

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

To prepare for your first DBT therapy session, you can:

  • Make a list of questions and/or concerns.
  • Bring a list of any medications that you are taking — prescription, OTC, and supplements.
  • Have a list of prior mental health treatments with dates and names if possible.
Most of all, though, be kind to yourself and allow yourself to be open to the idea of exploring your thoughts and emotions.

Starting Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) in Pittsburgh

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 Pittsburgh, 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 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 Pittsburgh accept 45 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Aetna Medicare Advantage

  • Ambetter from Pennsylvania Health and Wellness

  • AmeriHealth Administrators

  • AmeriHealth Medicare Advantage

  • AmeriHealth Pennsylvania

  • Capital BlueCross of Pennsylvania | BCBS

  • Capital BlueCross of Pennsylvania | BCBS Medicare Advantage

  • Carelon

  • Carelon | Medicare Advantage

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

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Self-pay costs at Pittsburgh
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
★★★★★
Thriveworks is one of the best health platforms I've ever used! The dashboard is simple to use and user friendly. My therapist is top tier-the most kind, intelligent, empathetic professional constantly willing to help me through my ups and downs of therapy. Im grateful to have found the platform.
Read more Thriveworks is one of the best health platforms I've ever used! The dashboard is simple to use and user friendly. My therapist is top tier-the most kind, intelligent, empathetic professional constantly willing to help me through my ups and downs of therapy. Im grateful to have found the platform.
Ninja Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Awesome resource for folks like me who had problems finding Therapist that took medicare
Tammy Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★
Patience and respect for my ideas. As an older adult, life is so very different. Any guidance is helpful.
Mary Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Being listened to. And having productive feedback.
Gabriel Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
holly asks alot of questions and is an excellent therapist
Anne Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
She listens to me and provides support with wonderful suggestions to give me the tools to help myself.
Joanne Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Nothing comes to mind
Joseph Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I think she's kind and explains things in an easy way.
Stephanie Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Pittsburgh is near Wood Street and Fourth Street. Our office is near University Center, and across the street from Madarin Gourmet.

Phone number

(412) 668-1226

Languages spoken by PA providers

  • Russian
  • English
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Monday 8:00am - 9:30pm
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Wednesday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:30pm

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

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