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Offered in-person & online

Our therapists offer DBT / dialectical behavior therapy in Philadelphia, PA

Start in-person or online sessions with a provider you can trust. We accept most major insurances. Book online or by giving us a call

Get in-person or online care, and cover the majority of the costs with your insurance. Scheduling is easy — call our team and they’ll help you find your perfect match.

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4,525 people sought dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) help in Pennsylvania 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

2  therapists available in Philadelphia

Everyone can use guidance from time to time. As a therapist with over 15 years of experience, I look forward to working with peopl...

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Joseph Walsh is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Pennsylvania and New York State who has over 9 years of experience wor...

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Marie MoriartyPuggi

Hear from Marie MoriartyPuggi, Licensed Associated Professional Counselor (LAPC)

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

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a type of talk therapy (psychotherapy) adapted for people who experience emotions very intensely. “Dialectical” means combining opposite ideas. DBT focuses on helping people accept the reality of their lives and their behaviors, as well as helping them learn to change their lives, including their unhelpful behaviors.

What tools do you teach in dialectical behavior therapy?

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) strives to strike a balance between validation (acceptance) of who you are and your challenges and the benefits of change. In sessions, you will learn new skills to improve emotion regulation.

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

Signs of positive progress in DBT:

  • Decreased emotional outbursts
  • Improved ability to manage strong emotions
  • Greater understanding of one's emotional triggers

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

Four types of DBT are implemented, but they vary from therapist to therapist:

  • DBT pre-assessment.
  • Individual therapy.
  • Skills training in groups.
  • Telephone crisis coaching.
Other ways to supplement DBT during personal time:
  • Mindfulness: This is the practice of being fully aware and focused on the present instead of worrying about the past or future.
  • Distress tolerance: This involves understanding and managing your emotions in difficult or stressful situations without responding with harmful behaviors.
  • Interpersonal effectiveness: This means understanding how to ask for what you want and need and setting boundaries while maintaining respect for yourself and others.
  • Emotion regulation: This means understanding, being more aware of, and having more control over your emotions.

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

Here are some ways to prepare that may even be covered when starting DBT sessions: discussing the importance of regular attendance, active participation, and commitment to practicing skills outside therapy sessions.

Starting Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) in Philadelphia

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 Philadelphia, PA 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 360+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our therapists and counselors in Philadelphia accept 45 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Aetna Medicare Advantage

  • Ambetter from Pennsylvania Health and Wellness

  • AmeriHealth Administrators

  • AmeriHealth Medicare Advantage

  • AmeriHealth Pennsylvania

  • Capital BlueCross of Pennsylvania | BCBS

  • Capital BlueCross of Pennsylvania | BCBS Medicare Advantage

  • Carelon

  • Carelon | Medicare Advantage

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Clover Health Medicare Advantage

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Self-pay costs at Philadelphia
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
★★★★★
Christina is amazing. She listens, addresses my concerns, fuels me up, and helps me get to the root of my problems or issues. She is non-judgmental in all ways, but helps me breakdown things to see them for how they are. I am so happy that I found Christina!
Read more Christina is amazing. She listens, addresses my concerns, fuels me up, and helps me get to the root of my problems or issues. She is non-judgmental in all ways, but helps me breakdown things to see them for how they are. I am so happy that I found Christina!
Laura Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★
I appreciate how patient my therapist is with me, this Is my first time in therapy and I'm not used to everything being about me so I tend to stop talking.
Nicholas Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
James is a fantastic therapist!!
Luke Jun 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Christina is great - gives strategies for coping, is empathetic, and gives realistic advice. She's a very compassionate and knowledgeable therapist, and she has really helped me gain control of my mental health.
Deanna Jun 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
James is awesome! Thank you James
Anthony Jun 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★
I liked how I got to discuss what was bothering me. I like how my sessions are catered to me and my schedule. I have nothing to note and improvement at the moment.
Rebecca Jun 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
My counselor is amazing! She is down to earth, easy to talk to and you can tell she is really listening to me and actually cares.
Camille Jun 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
James and Tracy Proctor are the greatest.
Josemaria Jun 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review

Where to find us

Getting here

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

Phone number

(215) 642-8968

Languages spoken by PA providers

  • English
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
Sunday 8:00am - 9:30pm

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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 - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 6:00pm

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