DBT Program in Fredericksburg
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a structured, evidence-based form of psychotherapy designed to help individuals who experience emotions with significant intensity and difficulty regulating emotional responses.
The clinicians at Lighthouse Counseling have received extensive training in the comprehensive DBT model and are committed to delivering treatment with fidelity to established DBT principles and practices. Our level of specialized DBT training and adherence to the evidence-based model are unique in our region.
What DBT Skills Teach
DBT skills training focuses on four core areas:
- Mindfulness
- Interpersonal effectiveness
- Distress tolerance
- Emotion regulation
These skills help clients notice what is happening, respond more effectively, and build a life that feels more manageable.
Which DBT Option Fits?
Comprehensive DBT therapy provides weekly individual and group therapy along with weekly case consultation and available phone coaching and family group. To support wider DBT availability, Lighthouse Counseling offers clients two separate tracks. The full program or skills group only.
We offer two levels of care:
- Full DBT Program – clients receive individual, skills group and phone coaching by Lighthouse staff.
- DBT Skills Group Only – clients receive individual and phone coaching from their current therapists and come to Lighthouse only for Skills group.
If you are unsure which option applies, contact the office and we can help you understand the next step.
Individual DBT Treatment
Individual Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a weekly, one-on-one session focused on enhancing client motivation and applying coping skills to specific life challenges. It helps clients replace maladaptive behaviors (like self-harm or intense emotional outbursts) with healthier actions, balancing acceptance of oneself with the need for positive change.
Key Components of Individual DBT:
1. Daily Progress Tracking
Diary Cards are completed daily and reviewed in session. Diary cards track progress towards goals and DBT coping skills that were used.
2. Behavioral Chain Analysis
When a problematic behavior occurs, your therapist will guide you through a behavioral chain analysis. This step-by-step breakdown looks at the exact triggers, thoughts, feelings, and consequences that led to the behavior so you can prevent it in the future. Following the chain analysis, your therapist helps you brainstorm and practice alternative, adaptive responses you could have used instead. This directly teaches you how to generalize the DBT skills you are learning.
3. A Phased Approach to Growth
DBT therapy is designed to meet you where you are and support meaningful, lasting change over time.
- Stage 1: Build stability by increasing behavioral control, reducing harmful behaviors, and developing effective coping skills.
- Stage 2: Process difficult emotions and experiences, including trauma, while working toward cognitive and emotional healing.
- Stage 3: Integrate the skills you've learned to pursue personal goals, strengthen self-respect, and create a life that feels meaningful and fulfilling.
DBT Skills Group
DBT Skills Group is less like traditional group therapy and more like an interactive class. In a supportive environment, you'll learn practical skills that can help you navigate everyday challenges, build healthier relationships, and respond more effectively to difficult emotions.
Groups meet for 90 minutes and are offered both in person and via telehealth. Each week, you'll learn a new skill, practice applying it, and complete simple exercises between sessions to reinforce what you've learned.
What You'll Learn
Our DBT Skills Group focuses on four core skill areas that work together to support emotional well-being and lasting change.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the foundation of DBT. You'll learn how to stay present, become more aware of your thoughts and emotions, and respond thoughtfully instead of reacting automatically.
Distress Tolerance
Life includes difficult moments. Distress tolerance skills help you cope with emotional crises in healthy ways, allowing you to manage overwhelming situations without making them worse.
Emotion Regulation
Learn to better understand your emotions, reduce emotional vulnerability, and develop practical strategies for responding to feelings in ways that align with your goals and values.
Interpersonal Effectiveness
Healthy relationships require healthy communication. These skills help you set boundaries, ask for what you need, navigate conflict, and maintain self-respect while strengthening your relationships.
Adolescent DBT
Our Adolescent DBT Program is designed for teens ages 14–19 and helps them develop healthier ways to manage emotions, navigate relationships, and cope with life's challenges.
DBT Skills Group is offered online, while individual therapy is available both in person and via telehealth. Parent or caregiver participation in family skills sessions is strongly encouraged.
How Adolescent DBT Is Different
Adolescent DBT includes the same core skills as adult DBT, with a few key differences:
Family Involvement: Parents and caregivers are encouraged to participate in family skills sessions to support progress at home.
Walking the Middle Path: A fifth skills module that teaches validation, balanced thinking, and healthy conflict resolution for teens and families. Teen-Focused Approach: Skills are taught using age-appropriate language and address challenges like peer relationships, identity, school stress, and family dynamics.
Friends And Family Group
For Referring Therapists
Lighthouse Counseling welcomes referrals from outside therapists whose clients may benefit from DBT Skills Group. Referring therapists are encouraged to reinforce DBT skills during individual sessions and are welcome to participate in case consultation with our DBT team.
To ensure coordinated care, referring therapists will review and acknowledge our Primary Therapist Agreement, which outlines each provider's role throughout treatment. A member of our DBT team will review the agreement with you and answer any questions. The agreement is available on our Payments & Forms page.
