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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.

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My goal is to help you overcome mental health challenges and improve your life

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Benjamin Clark

Hear from Benjamin Clark, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

View Benjamin Clark's profile

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

My use of DBT skills is based on incorporating skills beneficial for the regulation of intense emotions. I like to utilize these skills because they provide tools that are most beneficial for teaching clients to regulate intense emotions and ground themselves.

What tools do you teach in dialectical behavior therapy?

I teach the following tools with individual therapy:

  • Recognizing emotions on the feelings wheel
  • Wise mind
  • Urge surfing
  • Coping skills and strategies for managing and regulating emotions and stress
  • Accumulating positive emotions in the short and long term

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

I can tell a client is making meaningful progress in DBT when they are able to come back session after session and confidently report their ability to use skills, strategies, and routines they have been working on in treatment. Also, when they are using terminology they learned and demonstrate increased awareness and ability to regulate and manage whatever they are there working on in treatment.

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

I encourage clients to supplement their work in dialectical behavior therapy with positive, healthy, and effective activities, or what we refer to as pleasant events, utilizing them in their daily lives to help them feel like they are making progress towards a life worth living. Clients can also discuss activities, practices, routines, and habits that provide life satisfaction and help them feel like they are working toward long-term life goals. We will often look at a balanced life wheel that I have been known to share.

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

I encourage clients to prepare for their first DBT session by thinking about the areas of their lives where they hope treatment can help address intense emotional responses they are experiencing, allowing them to better regulate themselves and establish future goals in their lives they want to work toward.

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).

What\'s better: CBT or DBT?

The selection between Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) hinges on an individual’s distinct requirements and the specific nature of their concerns. CBT is commonly preferred for a broad spectrum of conditions like anxiety and depression, whereas DBT stands out in aiding individuals dealing with borderline personality disorder and challenges associated with emotional regulation.

Is DBT conducted in person or online?

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) with therapists at Thriveworks in Woodbridge, 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 insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Woodbridge therapists and counselors accept 28 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia Medicare Advantage

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

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

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

  • CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield DC | BCBS PPO

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

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Self-pay costs at Woodbridge
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

4.7 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
Mariah is excellent and always exceeds expectations. I am very grateful to have such a caring and dedicated Dr.
Read more Mariah is excellent and always exceeds expectations. I am very grateful to have such a caring and dedicated Dr.
Lester Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Very helpful and I feel lucky to have her.
William Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
☆☆☆☆
I want to start off by saying that my two counselors I had were great, but the thrive works Business model is lacking a care for its clients. I had my heat go out and I missed my session because I was working for eight hours straight on it and was told that I shouldn’t have been working on my heat and made my appointment because it’s more important than my family. Will not recommend, and I had a horrible experience with Thrive works as a business model but again my two counselors were wonderful. I got nothing but respect for them.
Read more I want to start off by saying that my two counselors I had were great, but the thrive works Business model is lacking a care for its clients. I had my heat go out and I missed my session because I was working for eight hours straight on it and was told that I shouldn’t have been working on my heat and made my appointment because it’s more important than my family. Will not recommend, and I had a horrible experience with Thrive works as a business model but again my two counselors were wonderful. I got nothing but respect for them.
Donnie Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Johanna Lee has been my therapist for the past 7 months and I am extremely pleased with her! She is very professional and goes above and beyond to meet my needs. Thriveworks makes the whole process easy because I can text them to solve any issues I’m having.
Read more Johanna Lee has been my therapist for the past 7 months and I am extremely pleased with her! She is very professional and goes above and beyond to meet my needs. Thriveworks makes the whole process easy because I can text them to solve any issues I’m having.
Woodbridge Feb 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I mentored Sharon in her master’s and doctoral studies where I found her to be thoughtful and discerning. She always generated a sincere sense of passion as her desire was not just to obtain degrees but to build the skills and knowledge base to support people within her community. Transparent in all her interactions with me and fellow students, she was unapologetically true to Biblical standards as the foundation of her interactions with others. I am confident that she will continue to be a thoughtful and wise counselor to all who seek her guidance and compassion.
Read more I mentored Sharon in her master’s and doctoral studies where I found her to be thoughtful and discerning. She always generated a sincere sense of passion as her desire was not just to obtain degrees but to build the skills and knowledge base to support people within her community. Transparent in all her interactions with me and fellow students, she was unapologetically true to Biblical standards as the foundation of her interactions with others. I am confident that she will continue to be a thoughtful and wise counselor to all who seek her guidance and compassion.
Woodbridge Dec 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Sharon is the epitome of integrity. She operates in humility and truth. She embodies what I call the three Cs: Caring, Considerate, and Compassionate. She sees you, hears you, and listens attentively and intuitively to your concerns. Her advice is sound and non-judgmental. Sharon's quiet, calm, and peaceful spirit puts you at ease, and makes you feel comfortable. I often seek her advice when life becomes difficult. I highly recommend Sharon for those that are broken, and in need of much healing and inner peace.
Read more Sharon is the epitome of integrity. She operates in humility and truth. She embodies what I call the three Cs: Caring, Considerate, and Compassionate. She sees you, hears you, and listens attentively and intuitively to your concerns. Her advice is sound and non-judgmental. Sharon's quiet, calm, and peaceful spirit puts you at ease, and makes you feel comfortable. I often seek her advice when life becomes difficult. I highly recommend Sharon for those that are broken, and in need of much healing and inner peace.
Woodbridge Dec 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Sharon Fernandez excels in Professionalism, Prepardness, and Integrity. Her ability to express concern about sensitive subject matter is very comforting.
Read more Sharon Fernandez excels in Professionalism, Prepardness, and Integrity. Her ability to express concern about sensitive subject matter is very comforting.
Woodbridge Nov 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Sharon shows a great deal of compassion, wisdom and kindness when sharing my concerns/issues with her. She is professional yet very personal as she guides and provides the help I need. If you are looking for a counselor that cares Ms. Sharon is an excellent choice.
Read more Sharon shows a great deal of compassion, wisdom and kindness when sharing my concerns/issues with her. She is professional yet very personal as she guides and provides the help I need. If you are looking for a counselor that cares Ms. Sharon is an excellent choice.
Woodbridge Nov 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Woodbridge is located on Hunter Pl, which is right off of Minnieville Rd. We share a building with Elite Realty and Associates and are across the street from Oberryman Insurance Agency.

Phone number

(571) 365-3172

Languages spoken by VA providers

  • Telugu
  • English
  • Creole
  • French
  • Tagalog
  • Farsi
  • Romanian
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
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

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
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

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