What Should I Expect from Therapy?

DBT is a therapy which requires a serious commitment from both the client and the therapist.  Your therapist will help you clarify your goals and will ask for specific commitments from you, which will help you reach your goals.  You and your therapist will develop a collaborative relationship which will seek to reduce any problems that get in the way of your therapy and will also identify behaviors that you most need to change in order to achieve your goals.  Individual therapy and skills training will be weekly, and you will have homework for each.  You will also have access to between- session coaching contact.  DBT is a very active and directed process, where you and your therapist delineate a clear path toward your goals and focus on the steps needed to reach them.  Your effort will be a huge factor in your progress.

The first four sessions of DBT will focus on orientation, assessment and commitment. There are formal and informal assessment procedures. During the early sessions you and your therapist will establish your relationship and treatment plan, including making a diary card.  Attendance at group usually begins within four to six weeks after entering therapy.  The minimum commitment is usually a year and many people stay in DBT for longer than one year.

Since DBT requires a minimum of once weekly individual and group sessions, it is not an inexpensive treatment.  However, due to DBT’s evidence base, some insurance plans will pay for the entire treatment.  Others, especially those offering very limited benefits, do not.  The cost of DBT will vary from 130-250 dollars a week if not paying with insurance.  Some therapists will offer a lower or sliding scale fee in some instances. You can discuss your financial arrangements with your individual therapist during the referral process.