Care without the wait

180 licensed therapists & providers in Virginia—13 in Virginia Beach. Available as soon as today, in person and online

Therapy for every life stage

Our providers work with individuals, couples, families, & teens for anxiety, depression, grief, & more

#1 for in-network coverage

We accept UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, BCBS Plans, Humana, Aetna, & many more. Self-pay options available, no membership fees

Patients who get better

94% of patients feel truly understood by their provider. 3 out of 4 see improvement in depression & anxiety symptoms within 3 months

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669 people sought dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) help at Virginia Beach 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

I am here to assist you with navigating your life experience regardless of the stage you currently occupy....

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Counseling is like a mirror, and my job is to pull out and reflect the qualities already within you for you to see more clearly....

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As a multi-ethnic black woman and a veteran of the U.S. Navy, I understand various perspectives from racial issues, trauma, sexual...

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I believe the search for a therapist mirrors the dating world: frustrating at times but worth it when you find yourself a good one...

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Therapy is a journey, not a destination. It is about learning and growing, and it is a process that never ends....

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As a surviving victim of trauma and child of a violent broken home, I understand the growing stress and emotions children have now...

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Michael Scott

Hear from Michael Scott, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

View Michael Scott's profile

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

A go-to approach to helping people in dialectical behavior therapy can be to begin by identifying and refining specific measurable behavioral goals in partnership with the client and setting expectations for how these goals can be met. Sessions can begin almost every time by inviting the client to share their current state of being and engage in supportive reflection to reinforce the client's practice of mindfulness. This can then lead to communication about the client's recent significant events which often produces examples within the session that can be reviewed together and put emphasis on emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance, and behavior changes that support progress toward the client's identified goals. it can be a beneficial approach due to its emphasis on emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness.

What tools do you teach in dialectical behavior therapy?

The following tools can be effective in delivering dialectical behavior therapy: practicing presence and mindfulness; awareness of measurable behavioral goals; and review, rehearsal, and role-playing for improved interpersonal effectiveness and emotional regulation.

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

Clients may be seen to be making progress in dialectical behavior therapy when they are able to recount successes in their ability to identify, communicate, and regulate emotions, which contributes to successes in their interpersonal relationships. This is often visible in their marriages and work lives and when they begin to recognize positive cycles up toward the realization of their goals.

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

Clients can supplement their time in dialectical behavior therapy by strengthening their meaningful relationships through intentional time spent with trusted people in their social networks, taking time for self-care however that may be defined, practicing identified emotional regulation strategies at times when it is easy, and completing diary cards that encourage self-monitoring of moods, behaviors, and skills.

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

To prepare for their first dialectical behavioral therapy session, an individual can consider what specific goals they may have and what specific obstacles they encounter in achieving them. Clients can prepare by taking a mental inventory of contributing factors and by being prepared to take what may feel like risks by trusting the counseling process and the counselor with sensitive, private, vulnerable sharing.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) FAQs

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 Virginia Beach, VA 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 insurance and we offer self-pay options too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling at Thriveworks.

Our therapists and counselors in Virginia Beach accept 30 insurance plans

  • Adventist Health Associates | Employee Health Plan

  • Adventist Health Associates | Non-Employee Health Plan

  • 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

  • CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS HMO

  • CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Compsych

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Self-pay costs at Virginia Beach
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

4.8 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
The fact that a professional was in reach and would reach out at their earliest convenience when I needed to speak with them.
Danyella Mar 2026
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I appreciate my therapist John for his advice
Serena Mar 2026
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
The log in feature. Having to obtain a code from my email each time isn’t the most convenient
Dakohtah Mar 2026
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Hannah is such a lovely person and has helped me pull through so much. We have a great rapport and I'm incredibly appreciative of the work she puts in to help me improve.
Kortnee Mar 2026
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I have lifelong traumas and I feel heard and helped early in this process. Previous therapists have not provided the space I needed to get help.
Wavyrly Mar 2026
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I'm very grateful for the work I've been able to do with my therapist. She always asks thoughtful questions to make me reflect in ways I hadn't before, and she does it with genuine care and without judgement. I leave each session feeling clearer and more grounded. I can't recommend her enough.
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Liliana Mar 2026
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Daria is just simply wonderful, very professional therapist, highly knowledgeable and very kind, recommend to anyone who is looking for professional advice!
Andre Mar 2026
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Helping me find solutions to my problems
Amilia Mar 2026
Thriveworks.com verified review
8 of 81 reviews

Where to find us

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Address

509 Old Great Neck Road Suite 203
Virginia Beach, VA 23454

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Virginia Beach is located near North Great Neck Road and First Colonial Road, off Virginia Beach Boulevard. It is situated right by the London Bridge Park & Ally Urgent Veterinary Care and a short distance from Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital.

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Phone number

(757) 520-1312
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Languages spoken by VA providers

  • English
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Hours

Sunday 8:00am - 9:30pm
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
Saturday 8:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

Sunday 8:00am - 6:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 6:00pm

Shown in ET

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