DBT/PE for PTSD

Prolonged Exposure is a gold standard treatment for posttraumatic stress with decades of research to support it. Until recently it was thought to get this type of intensive therapy with a history of suicidal and self harming behaviors was not possible or effective. Dr. Melanie Harned’s research on the combination of DBT/PE protocols has shown an effective combination of the two protocols. Now the combination can help those with traumatic symptoms when either of the therapies alone are less effective. Here is a link to some of the research (http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Melanie_Harned/publications).

Anxiety, Mood, and Psychosis

Individual treatments for depression, anxiety, and psychosis are also available. Call and ask about empirically supported cognitive behavioral therapies for depression, anxiety, and psychosis.

Treatment Programs

Comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

DBT is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy developed for chronically suicidal patients often diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. Research has shown that it works with substance misuse, eating disorder, depression, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as well.  If you don’t know if this is for you, look in the FAQ section. Comprehensive DBT is a program with multiple modes of treatment targeting multiple areas.

DBT Skills Training is a 2 ½ hour weekly group (with a break) designed to enhance the capacity of the individual in the areas of Core Mindfulness, Interpersonal Effectiveness, Emotion Regulation, and Distress Tolerance.  There is a classroom atmosphere with skills being taught, practiced, and practice assigned outside of group.  The first half of the class is spent reviewing your practice over the last week, while the second is learning a new skill.  Going through all the modules takes about 24 weeks.  Research supports two times through the group, or one year of treatment, for best skills acquisition and retention.

DBT Individual Therapy is once a week for as long at the patient is in the program.  The purpose is to help maintain motivation for the treatment and apply what is being learned in skills group specifically to your life.

DBT Phone Coaching is designed to help you apply what you are learning when you need it, not in group or in session, but in your life.  You have access to your therapist between group and session to get coaching on how to cope and use the skills you’re learning.

Consultation Team is a weekly meeting for the treatment providers to provide support and ensure fidelity to the DBT model.  This provides opportunities for collaboration and support that ensure that you are getting a motivated and well informed therapist.

Call for our next openings for Comprehensive DBT.  Slots are limited.