DBT therapy near me, from licensed clinicians and programs in your area
Dialectical behavior therapy, known as DBT, is a structured approach that is often delivered as a program rather than a single weekly hour. This page explains how DBT is usually organized, how to tell a full program from DBT informed therapy, and how to find licensed providers near you on NearbyTherapy. Searching is free for patients and no account is needed.
Search DBT providers by city or ZIP
Enter where you live, choose DBT as the approach and decide whether you want to meet in person or online. You will see claimed profiles first and licensed providers from the federal registry underneath.
The origins of dialectical behavior therapy
DBT was developed by the psychologist Marsha Linehan at the University of Washington, with the first formal treatment manuals published in the early 1990s. She built it on top of cognitive behavioral methods and added ideas drawn from mindfulness practice. Linehan originally developed DBT in her work with adults who were living with very intense, hard to manage emotions.
The word "dialectical" refers to holding two ideas that seem to pull against each other at the same time. In DBT the central pair is acceptance and change: accepting where a person is right now while also working on new ways of responding. That balance shapes the tone of the whole approach.
The four skill areas taught in DBT
DBT is known for teaching a defined set of skills, usually grouped into four modules.
- Mindfulness, which focuses on noticing the present moment without immediate judgment.
- Distress tolerance, which covers ways of getting through difficult moments.
- Emotion regulation, which looks at understanding and naming emotional experience.
- Interpersonal effectiveness, which deals with asking for what you need and setting limits.
Some programs add further modules, for example for teens and their families. Ask a provider which modules they teach and in what order.
How a comprehensive DBT program is usually built
A full or comprehensive DBT program typically combines several parts that run at the same time.
| Component | What it usually involves |
|---|---|
| Individual therapy | A weekly one to one session with a DBT therapist, often using a diary card to review the week |
| Skills group | A weekly class, often around two hours, where the skills are taught in a group format |
| Coaching between sessions | Brief contact with the therapist, often by phone, to help apply skills in real situations |
| Consultation team | A regular meeting where DBT therapists support one another, which clients do not attend |
Not every clinician offers all of these. Many therapists describe their work as "DBT informed", meaning they use DBT skills and ideas within regular individual therapy without running the full program. Both are common, and the difference is worth asking about directly.
Who provides DBT and how training works
DBT is offered by several kinds of licensed clinicians, including psychologists, licensed professional counselors, clinical social workers and LMFTs. Group practices and clinics sometimes run DBT skills groups as a team, which is one reason DBT is often found in larger practices.
Training varies. Some clinicians complete intensive DBT training over many months, and some hold certification through the DBT Linehan Board of Certification. Others have attended shorter courses. A provider can tell you which path they followed.
Finding DBT on NearbyTherapy
Therapists who claim their profile choose their approaches, so DBT appears on claimed profiles where the provider listed it. The approach, concern, insurance and price filters work on these claimed profiles only.
Registry listings appear below under "More licensed providers in" your city. They come from the NPPES NPI Registry and show license and practice details, but the registry does not say anything about approaches or groups. If a registry listing looks promising, call the practice and ask whether they offer DBT individual sessions, a skills group or both.
Questions for a first call with a DBT provider
- Do you offer a comprehensive DBT program, or DBT informed individual therapy?
- If there is a skills group, how often does it meet, how long is it and is it in person or online?
- Is coaching between sessions part of your program, and how does it work?
- What training have you had in DBT, and are you part of a consultation team?
- Is there a minimum commitment, such as a full cycle of skills modules?
- How are individual sessions and groups billed, and do you take my insurance?
What to know about cost
Because a full program can include individual sessions and a weekly group, the total weekly cost can be higher than for a single therapy session. Groups are usually billed separately from individual sessions. Insurance coverage depends on your plan and the provider, so ask both. Our pages on therapists that take insurance and therapists that take Medicaid explain how to check.
What is the difference between DBT and CBT?
DBT was built on cognitive behavioral methods and adds an emphasis on acceptance, mindfulness and a set of taught skills, often delivered in a group. Providers can explain how they use each one in their own practice.
Do I have to join a group to do DBT?
Not always. A comprehensive program usually includes a skills group, while DBT informed therapy may be individual sessions only. Ask the provider which format they offer.
Is DBT available online?
Many skills groups and individual sessions run by video. Therapists generally must be licensed in the state where you are located, so check the license state before you start.
Can NearbyTherapy tell me whether DBT is right for me?
No. We are a directory and do not give medical advice. A licensed clinician can talk with you about your needs and the approaches they offer.
Immediate support
NearbyTherapy is not a crisis or emergency service. If you are thinking about suicide or self harm, call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline). In an emergency, call 911. Our crisis page lists more ways to get help now.
Look for DBT near you
Search by city or ZIP, filter by approach and format, and contact licensed providers directly. Free for patients, no account needed.