Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) in NY, NJ, & CT

Woman in a therapy session speaking to a therapist who is taking notes. Both are seated in a neutral-toned room.

Build Healthier Relationships And a More Stable Life With DBT

When life feels like a constant struggle with overwhelming emotions, intense reactions, difficult relationships, and impulsive behaviors, it can leave you feeling hopeless and stuck. Metro NY DBT Center provides a powerful, evidence-based solution with our comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) program. Developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan, DBT is the gold standard for treating emotion dysregulation and is designed to help you regulate emotions, improve relationships, manage self-destructive behaviors, and build a life that you experience as worth living.


Our program, serving New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, offers the structure, support, and skills needed to break free from painful patterns and cultivate lasting emotional well-being.

Understanding The Struggle With Emotion Dysregulation

For many, challenges with regulating emotions are at the core of their difficulties. This isn't a matter of willpower; it often stems from a combination of biological sensitivities and an environment that didn't teach effective coping skills. This "bio-social" theory is the foundation of DBT.


When you struggle with emotion dysregulation, you might experience:

  • Rapid, intense mood swings that feel out of your control.


  • A pattern of unstable or conflict-ridden relationships.


  • Chronic feelings of emptiness or confusion about your identity.


  • Impulsive behaviors involving self-harm, substance use, or disordered eating.


  • Difficulty tolerating distress, leading to crisis situations.
Woman with red curly hair, glasses, and a denim jacket gestures during a group discussion in a room with exposed brick walls.

The Core Components of Our Comprehensive DBT Program

To be effective, fully adherent DBT consists of four core components that work together to support meaningful and lasting change. Our program includes all of these necessary components to ensure you receive the highest quality of evidence-based care:

The Four Modules of DBT Skills Training

Our DBT skills group teaches four essential sets of skills designed to give you concrete tools for real-life change:

White floral design on a blue circle.

Mindfulness



The foundation of all DBT skills. You will learn how to increase your awareness of the present moment, observe your thoughts and feelings without judgment, and move from a state of emotional reactivity to one of thoughtful awareness.

White floral design on a blue circle.

Distress Tolerance



Learn how to survive crises and tolerate painful emotions without engaging in problematic behaviors. These skills help you get through difficult moments without making them worse.

White floral design on a blue circle.

Emotion Regulation



Develop a better understanding of your emotions, learn how to reduce your vulnerability to negative feelings, and gain strategies to change painful emotions when you want to.

White floral design on a blue circle.

Interpersonal Effectiveness



Learn how to build and maintain healthy relationships, communicate your needs effectively, manage conflict, and preserve your self-respect in interactions with others.

Woman with curly hair smiles while talking to a man. They are seated in a modern cafe setting.

How Dialectical Behavior Therapy Can Help

Numerous studies have shown that adults receiving DBT report reductions in suicidal behavior, self-harm, and psychiatric hospitalizations. Furthermore, a 2020 meta-analysis published in Psychological Medicine concluded that DBT significantly improves emotional regulation and reduces symptoms across a range of psychiatric diagnoses.


DBT is designed to help:

  • Reduce suicidal ideation and self-harming behaviors.


  • Effectively manage intense emotions like anger, shame, and anxiety.


  • Decrease impulsive behaviors related to substance use, eating, or spending.


  • Build stable, meaningful relationships with others.


  • Improve one’s ability to cope with stress and navigate crises.


  • Develop a stronger, more consistent sense of self.

The Metro NY DBT Difference

Choosing Metro NY DBT Center means partnering with a team dedicated to providing expert, fully adherent DBT.

White floral design on a blue circle.

Expertise in DBT



Our clinicians are intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and are committed to providing treatment that includes all four evidence-based components.

White floral design on a blue circle.

A Community of Care



We operate as a structured, supportive team. Our mandatory consultation team ensures coordinated and high-quality treatment for every client.

White floral design on a blue circle.

Skills for Real-Life Change



We focus on teaching practical, actionable strategies you can use to manage your emotions and improve your life.

White floral design on a blue circle.

Flexible Access



We offer both in-person and virtual therapy options across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut to meet your needs.

Insurance Structure and Payment Information

Metro NY DBT Center is an "out-of-network" provider and does not participate directly with insurance panels. Clients are responsible for payment at the time of service. We provide detailed invoices that you can submit to your insurance company for potential out-of-network reimbursement. We encourage you to speak with your insurance provider about your benefits.

Black clock showing the time at 3:00.

Assessment/Intake Session (60-minutes): Insurance CPT Code 90791

Clock icon showing the time at 3 o'clock.

Pretreatment Sessions: 

4 weeks of individual sessions: insurance CPT Code 90834

Clock icon showing 2:00.

Individual Therapy Session (45-minutes, weekly): Insurance CPT Code 90834

A black clock showing the time at 3:00.

Group Skills Training Session (75-minutes, weekly): Stage I individual and group skills training for 29 weeks. Insurance CPT Code 90853

Program components and fees will be clarified during your consultation.

Man sitting on a gray couch talking to a therapist in an office setting; the therapist is holding notes.

Ready to Build a Life Worth Living?

You've already taken the first step by seeking a solution. Let us take the next one with you. Our DBT program is an evidence-based therapy designed to help you build the life you deserve. Get in touch to learn more.


Contact us today to schedule your consultation.

Visit our Contact Page: Click Here

Frequently Asked Questions About DBT

  • I would like to continue with my current therapist outside of Metro. Can I still participate in the outpatient DBT program?

    We do ask clients to pause with outside providers while participating in comprehensive DBT treatment at Metro. We work closely on a team, which we have found to lead to increased progress towards treatment goals. In some cases, it is possible to participate in only our DBT Skill Group while continuing individual treatment with your outside therapist. Please reach out to us for a free consultation call to inquire if you may be a fit for group-only treatment at Metro.

  • What is DBT therapy used for?

    DBT is highly effective for a wide range of issues rooted in emotion dysregulation, including chronic suicidal ideation, self-harm, trauma (PTSD), and co-occurring disorders such as substance use or eating disorders. It was originally designed to target the core symptoms of BPD, including emotional instability, chaotic relationships, impulsivity, and identity disturbance. The skills learned in DBT directly address these challenges, making it the most effective evidence-based therapy for this diagnosis.

  • Can DBT help with anxiety or depression even if I don't have a BPD diagnosis?

    Yes. The skills DBT teaches are highly effective for anyone who struggles with intense emotions and unhelpful behaviors. The Emotion Regulation and Distress Tolerance modules, in particular, provide powerful tools for managing the overwhelming feelings and avoidance patterns often associated with severe anxiety and treatment-resistant depression.

  • What is the main difference between CBT and DBT?

    CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) focuses primarily on changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors. DBT incorporates these strategies but adds a crucial emphasis on acceptance, mindfulness, and skills for managing intense emotions and interpersonal conflicts. The dialectic between acceptance and change is core to DBT.

  • Will I have "homework" in DBT?

    Yes. A key component of DBT involves practicing the skills you learn in session in your daily life. This "homework" or "Action Plan" is crucial for making real, lasting change and helps you become proficient at using your new tools independently.