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 HMO, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS PPO, +24 more
Military / Veteran, Medical / Health Issues, Coping Skills, Self Esteem, Stress, +8 more

I believe there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to therapy, so I meet each client where they are while working to improve their strengths and addr... I believe there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to therapy, so I meet each client where they are while working to improve their strengths and address weaknesses. Read more

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, Cigna | Evernorth, United Healthcare | Optum, +3 more
Coping Skills, Self Esteem, Stress, ADHD, Postpartum / Pregnancy, +6 more

It is my honor to listen and guide you as you embark on your journey of self-discovery, change, and gaining new skills and perspectives to thrive in y... It is my honor to listen and guide you as you embark on your journey of self-discovery, change, and gaining new skills and perspectives to thrive in your life. Read more

115 more therapists available in Virginia

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

Alexandra Cromer

Hear from Alexandra Cromer, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

View Alexandra Cromer's profile

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

My go-to approach for helping people in dialectical behavior therapy is to orient them fully to the process, as DBT therapy is a very structured, routinized treatment that does not offer a lot of deviation and requires buy-in and constant commitment to change from the client. I like to provide a general overview of the core tenets of DBT as well as the expectations that it has of the client, the expectations of the therapist, and the expected outcomes. I find the best benefit is making sure clients can ask questions and explore the DBT process in its entirety prior to beginning because it increases buy-in. I also like to provide worksheets and a workbook for my clients to use and recommend homework as a great way for clients to practice as well as visually track their progress.

What tools do you teach in dialectical behavior therapy?

I teach the following tools in dialectical behavior therapy:

  • Interpersonal effectiveness skills: Interpersonal effectiveness skills focus on making you the most effective version of yourself within interpersonal relationships. These skills focus on helping you communicate in a clear, direct, objective way and also equip you with ways to establish and maintain boundaries that are healthy within interpersonal relationships and promote overall health and wellness in relationships with others.
  • Distress tolerance skills: Distress tolerance skills focus on raising your overall levels of resiliency and ability to effectively manage and regulate experienced moods and emotions through the use of mindfulness and grounding skills such as the use of your body. Distress tolerance skills are diverse and can be used in a wide variety of settings.
  • Mindfulness skills: Mindfulness skills training involves using your mind and body to be fully in the present moment in order to increase your ability to effectively regulate and manage experienced moods and emotions. It also includes a focus on the use of radical acceptance skills to be able to effectively accept life's unexpected challenges.

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 are regularly completing their homework, demonstrating mastery of the DBT skills, and using them regularly and with minimal prompting from the clinician. I also know that a client is progressing in DBT therapy when they are personalizing the techniques and making active attempts to incorporate them into their daily life, reporting an overall increase in life satisfaction and a decrease in the frequency and intensity of feelings of distress.

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

Clients can supplement their time in dialectical behavior therapy by participating in a DBT skills group. DBT skills training group therapy focuses on ways that group members are applying the skills learned in therapy in their daily lives. It can be a great way for others to learn new ideas and ways to personalize their therapeutic experience. Outside of group therapy, making sure that you are taking a proactive role/approach to your own self-care and wellness, as well as making sure that you are engaging in healthy and nourishing behaviors, is the best way to maintain steady progress in therapy.

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

To prepare for their first dialectical behavior therapy session, an individual can do some research ahead of time on DBT therapy and learn about its structure and tenets. Familiarize yourself with the therapeutic process ahead of time and perhaps come to therapy with a list of questions you have or any expectations that you have so that you can discuss them openly and freely with your therapist!

Starting Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)

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 Richmond 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 PPO

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

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Self-pay costs at Richmond
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 had reached out to several therapists to find one that would fit. My therapist Noel, reached out and explained on what methods she uses to help with certain issues. She is a great fit for me and I am looking forward with working with her.
Read more I had reached out to several therapists to find one that would fit. My therapist Noel, reached out and explained on what methods she uses to help with certain issues. She is a great fit for me and I am looking forward with working with her.
Lynn Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
She is absolutely the best and she makes my life so much better thank you very much!
Robert Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Ms Gooden is an excellent clinician, always very helpful and punctual. The office staff are always helpful and professional. I will recommend them to my family and friends
Read more Ms Gooden is an excellent clinician, always very helpful and punctual. The office staff are always helpful and professional. I will recommend them to my family and friends
Maria Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
My husband and I are very pleased with our therapist, and she's not only Christian, but she is also knowledgeable, honest, direct, and committed to assist us in any way she possible can. She's introduced us to written and verbal exercises that have helped us better understand each other and ourselves. I whole Heartly recommend her and Thrivesworks.
Read more My husband and I are very pleased with our therapist, and she's not only Christian, but she is also knowledgeable, honest, direct, and committed to assist us in any way she possible can. She's introduced us to written and verbal exercises that have helped us better understand each other and ourselves. I whole Heartly recommend her and Thrivesworks.
Maria Dec 2023
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Natalie is an incredibly compassionate therapist who really takes the time and effort to help you towards healing and recovery. The help and guidance that she has provided for me has changed my life. She is truly great at what she does.
Read more Natalie is an incredibly compassionate therapist who really takes the time and effort to help you towards healing and recovery. The help and guidance that she has provided for me has changed my life. She is truly great at what she does.
Richmond Feb 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Natalie makes me feel comfortable and is easy to talk to. She has helped me work through multiple triggers and highly recommend her if you need a trustworthy therapist.
Read more Natalie makes me feel comfortable and is easy to talk to. She has helped me work through multiple triggers and highly recommend her if you need a trustworthy therapist.
Richmond Feb 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Ms. Shamika Pender has a great love for people and is full of knowledge and wisdom. She has assisted me on many occasions with locating resources for church and family members in need. She is a strong advocate for the community.
Read more Ms. Shamika Pender has a great love for people and is full of knowledge and wisdom. She has assisted me on many occasions with locating resources for church and family members in need. She is a strong advocate for the community.
Richmond Sep 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Shamika Pender is an experienced Clinician who administers services with empathy and professionalism. There is no doubt that she will be an incredible asset to your agency.
Read more Shamika Pender is an experienced Clinician who administers services with empathy and professionalism. There is no doubt that she will be an incredible asset to your agency.
Richmond Sep 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Richmond is conveniently located in Shockoe Bottom at the intersection of N. 19th St. and E. Franklin. We share a building with The Superior Production Exchange and Uni Shippers. Across from us, on the other side of E. Franklin is Shockoe Center.

Phone number

(804) 331-2570

Languages spoken by VA providers

  • English
  • Spanish
  • Creole
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
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

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
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm

Shown in ET

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