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

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Vivian Ng

Hear from Vivian Ng, Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)

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

My go-to approach for helping people in dialectical behavior therapy is to first meet clients where they are and have them identify their baseline stress. It's also important to identify their stress tolerance levels and what coping skills or “activities that bring you joy or make you feel safe/rested” they are already practicing. From there, we identify and practice mindfulness/deep breathing to connect with their bodies and begin acceptance work. We also identify baseline emotions and begin to learn to understand the role/value/data from each emotion, its alignment with who they are/want to be, and what is within their control in the situation vs. what is out of their control and needs to be let go. Finally, we identify their values/goals and how to regulate their interactions with others when there is a discrepancy between what they want and what they are experiencing in their life involving others.

What tools do you teach in dialectical behavior therapy?

I teach the following tools in dialectical behavior therapy: psychoeducation on the body and connection between physiological symptoms and emotions; practicing mindfulness of body sensations, emotions, and associated thoughts (identifying them all); practicing deep breathing/mindfulness guided exercise in sessions to be used outside of session; listing and practicing coping skills in and outside of session to regulate emotions/thoughts/behaviors; and identifying and practicing healthy interpersonal strategies/skills.

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

I know a client is making meaningful progress in dialectical behavior therapy when they report an awareness of their emotions/thoughts/behaviors because they are aware of their capacity in a given situation; when the client validates, is kind to, and practices self-compassion for themselves over the course of sessions; they practice healthy coping skills that have replaced unhealthy ones; and they experience an increase in appreciation, joy, and growth in interpersonal experiences.

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

Clients can supplement their time in dialectical behavior therapy by having an awareness that change takes time, being their own gentle friend in the process and efforts of change, practicing acceptance and forgiveness when they revert to old behaviors/patterns, and recognizing and celebrating every instance of forward movement.

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

To prepare for their first dialectical behavioral therapy session, an individual can recognize the courage it takes to try something new, surround themselves with a supportive community or remove themselves from unsupportive individuals, and give themselves as much time as is needed to get to know and become a friend to themselves.

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 Providence, RI 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 Providence therapists and counselors accept 24 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island | BCBS

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rhode Island Medicare Advantage

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Harvard Pilgrim

  • Humana Exchange

  • Humana HMO/POS

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Self-pay costs at Providence
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
★★★★★
Rasheed Is my therapist and he really helps me a lot . I would recommend coming here. It’s a really nice place and Rasheed is a really good therapist.!!
Read more Rasheed Is my therapist and he really helps me a lot . I would recommend coming here. It’s a really nice place and Rasheed is a really good therapist.!!
Riley Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Vivian provides a welcoming conversational space for exchange. She is able to listen with genuine care and when the time is right give feedback that is both empathetic and constructive. If I have to share a problem with her that might be difficult to share with even a close friend, I feel she is able to help coach me along with a patient reassurance that my thoughts and feelings will be considered without judgment. There may not always be a direct or immediate answer to what I’m working through but she is able to encourage healthy thought-habits and emotional strategies which help me to progress. I really appreciate her respectful frame of mind and down-to-earth personality, they make talking with her worthwhile.
Read more Vivian provides a welcoming conversational space for exchange. She is able to listen with genuine care and when the time is right give feedback that is both empathetic and constructive. If I have to share a problem with her that might be difficult to share with even a close friend, I feel she is able to help coach me along with a patient reassurance that my thoughts and feelings will be considered without judgment. There may not always be a direct or immediate answer to what I’m working through but she is able to encourage healthy thought-habits and emotional strategies which help me to progress. I really appreciate her respectful frame of mind and down-to-earth personality, they make talking with her worthwhile.
Providence Apr 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Therapy Providence is located at 245 Waterman St Suite 504A, Providence, RI 02906, between Wayland Ave. and Butler Ave.

Phone number

(401) 235-4170

Languages spoken by RI providers

  • English
  • Filipino
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
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm

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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
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm

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