Discover how starting dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
2 therapists available in Manassas
Keleisha Dixon is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who has 15 years of experience in the mental health field. Keleisha spe...
About
Keleisha Dixon is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who has 15 years of experience in the mental health field. Keleisha specializes in helping people from various walks of life who have dealt with such issues as anxiety, depression, trauma, relationships, and phase of life transitions, as well as teens who self-harm, and parents in need of support. She believes that counseling can provide clients with self-examination, alternative points of view, concrete steps, and skills to see them through this endeavor call life. In counseling, one can learn new ways to make better choices and conduct relationships with evidenced-based techniques. Keleisha uses techniques from family therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and solution-focused therapy to help her clients gain insight, restructure negative thoughts, and find coping skills to manage symptoms of one’s diagnosis.
Keleisha believes that people experience life in numerous ways. No one is always living the ideal life; no one is always perfect, or armored for everything life brings in their path. Triumphantly or despairingly, whether for short or long periods of time, whichever way you are experiencing life, counseling is here for you. You may need a safe place to work through your issues, a shoulder to lean on, or have in-depth introspection; whatever you are dealing with, counseling is here for you. Many people want to have the best relationships with family, friends, and loved ones. Many people want joy, companionship, and to figure out their place in life. Some people want to belong. Counseling is here for them.
It may seem scary to begin changing and improving your life, but it is not impossible. The possibilities are endless of what you can learn and how strong you can become. You have the potential to rebuild broken relationships. Take a chance on improving your life, learning better ways of dealing with issues in relationships, and finding joy by coming in for counseling. Contact Keleisha for counseling today; your time will not be wasted because seeking to improve yourself is never a waste of time.
Education and training
View more therapists in Manassas
I have learned to value and embrace diversity without being judgmental....
I have learned to value and embrace diversity without being judgmental.
Claudette Gadson is currently a Supervisee in Social Work (SISW) Resident of the State of Virginia with years of experience. She treats clients of all ages and specializes in depression, grief, trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and suicidal/homicidal ideations.
Claudette completed her Master's degree in Social Work (MSW) at Fordham University. The interventions that she utilizes include some elements of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and motivational interviewing.
Claudette is here to help you and to help start your successful path towards change and a bright future. Schedule a session with her today.
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
Not ready to book? Contact me
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.
No membership fees or subscriptions
Evening and weekend sessions
Award-winning therapy & psychiatry
What support are you seeking?
You acknowledge that by submitting this form, you are providing what may be considered “sensitive data” and consent to Thriveworks Privacy Policy & Terms. By submitting this information, you consent to receive communication from Thriveworks about our services via automatic calls, artificial or pre-recorded messages, or texts at the phone number provided, or by email at the address provided. You have the option to opt out of communications.
We will contact you with availability updates based on the preferences you provided for up to six months.
My go-to approach for helping people in dialectical behavior therapy is helping them accept the reality of their lives and their behaviors and learn to change their lives, including their unhelpful or maladaptive behaviors. I find the best benefit in DBT because it is based on CBT and is specially adapted for people who experience intense emotions.
In the dialectical behavior therapy framework, tools such as distress tolerance, emotion regulation, mindfulness, and interpersonal effective strategies can be used to decrease symptoms of anxiety, worry, sadness, depression, and eating disorders.
The client is making meaningful progress in DBT when they experience decreased symptoms of eating disorders, anxiety, depression, PTSD, suicidal behaviors, etc. Also, the client is able to regulate or manage his or her emotions, manage their borderline personality disorder symptoms, and/or maintain sobriety from drug use.
Clients can supplement their time in DBT by utilizing DBT coping cards or implementing positive coping skills such as distress tolerance. Some examples of distress tolerance skills are visualizing a relaxing scene, looking for the silver lining, taking a mental break to do something pleasant to improve the moment, thinking about the potential pros and cons of either tolerating or not tolerating the distress, self-soothing techniques such as using the senses to calm down, TIPP skills (changing the body's physiology to reduce emotional arousal), the STOP skill, radical acceptance, and distraction. Other important DBT skills include emotion regulation, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness strategies.
To prepare for their first DBT session, an individual can take time before the session to reflect on their goals and what they hope to gain from the session, as well as calibrate their expectations around the time frame for treatment, therapy modality, and potential fears of judgment or vulnerability. They can also choose a strategic time for the appointment if possible and find a location that is quiet and private. For someone practicing DBT for the first time, mindfulness is a key component of DBT therapy. DBT also focuses on developing interpersonal skills and can include homework assignments. Finally, seeking support, such as group support, is important. Some communities offer online or in-person DBT skills groups for those who want to practice DBT in a supportive group setting.
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.
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.
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.
The 4 pillars of DBT are mindfulness, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance.
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).
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) with therapists at Thriveworks in Manassas, VA is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
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.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
Shown in ET
10 photos
Call us to book
Our team is happy to help you schedule your first session.
Book online
Find the right provider for you. Book your session online yourself in just a few easy steps.