Webinar: Psychological Approaches to Creating Healthy Media Habits. 5/24 – 1 – 4 pm. 3CE. Register Now!

Learn More

Webinar: Psychological Approaches to Creating Healthy Media Habits. 5/24 – 1 – 4 pm. 3 CE. Register Now!

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Comprehensive Treatment for Serious Conditions

Treatment that gets results

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is based on the concepts of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and created for individuals with extreme emotions and sometimes harmful behaviors. The Ross Center offers a comprehensive DBT program for teens ages 14-17, with a team of DBT-trained clinicians working to address complex problems including emotional regulation issues, unhealthy relationships and boundaries, self-harm and suicidal ideation. Participants learn skills to better manage their feelings, thoughts and behaviors, and experience hope and optimism as they learn to function more effectively in day-to-day activities. 

The program provides a balance of concrete strategies that lead to positive changes with extensive support and compassion for the client and your family. If you feel that you’ve run out of options, the comprehensive DBT program at The Ross Center can be transformative and provide the structure and therapeutic guidance to truly impact and improve mental health.

We are also offering a virtual DBT Skills Groups for Adults. This 6-month DBT Skills training is a standalone option for individuals interested in learning DBT skills and is not part of a comprehensive program.

Effective Treatment for a Variety of Conditions

Extensive research supports DBT efficacy in treating suicidal and self-harming behaviors, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, borderline personality disorder and trauma. Many clients have been to multiple therapists without seeing significant progress, and parents are often at their wits end. The comprehensive DBT program at The Ross Center can effectively treat a wide range of disorders, including individuals who experience:

  • Significant difficulty regulating emotions, thoughts and behaviors
  • Trouble navigating relationships
  • Uncontrollable Anger
  • Chronic suicidal thoughts
  • Cutting and other types of self-harm
  • Risky behaviors, including sexual promiscuity
  • Impulsive behavior
  • Substance abuse
  • Extensive moodiness
  • Food and eating issues
  • Depression
  • Severe anxiety
  • Out of control behavior
  • Struggles with trauma and PTSD

Structured Program

We offer a classic, comprehensive DBT program involving a 4-pronged system that is delivered over a period of 6 months and includes:

  • Individual DBT therapy with a dedicated therapist
  • Weekly DBT skills training group for the client and their parents
  • Skills coaching and 24 hour phone consultation
  • DBT Therapist team approach

This program involves a serious family commitment to adhere to a 6 month program. Participants are required to commit to the entire 24-week program, but can join at the beginning of a new cycle as long as all 4 modules are completed.

The 4 skill-building modules of DBT consist of:

  • Mindfulness,
  • Emotion Regulation
  • Distress Tolerance
  • Interpersonal Effectiveness.

Expected Outcomes from a DBT Program

Many clients who participate in a DBT program describe it as ‘life changing’. Although DBT is a lot of hard work, it has also proven to be effective for many types of complicated mental health problems. Those who complete the program often exhibit significant progress and change, able to return to school, work, and regular activities armed with a new set of life skills. Family life becomes calmer and family members have the tools to live in greater harmony. Participants gain critical skills for self-management resulting in improved relationships, decision-making and confidence.

To learn more about DBT contact us at 703-687-6610 or  [email protected].

DBT Trained Clinicians at The Ross Center:

Psychologist
Washington, D.C. & Northern Virginia
Psychologist, Director of Professional Development
Northern Virginia
Psychologist
Northern Virginia
Postdoctoral Fellow
Washington, D.C. & Northern Virginia
Postdoctoral Fellow
Washington, D.C. & Northern Virginia
Psychotherapist, Director of the N. VA Office and Director of DBT Programs
Washington, D.C. & Northern Virginia

Explore our other Psychotherapy Treatment Options

Groups And Events relating to Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Skills Class: Zoom and In-Person Options
Wednesday Evenings
Learn new skills to replace thoughts, emotions and behaviors that are interfering with your day-to-day life and relationships
Northern Virginia
Thursday Evenings Skills Group – 6:30 – 8:30pm (teens – in person), and Tuesday Evening Parent Group (via Zoom)
Program includes weekly sessions of individual therapy, family group therapy, 24 hour telephone support and a dedicated clinical team.

Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) Screening Form

Thank you for your interest in our SPACE-informed parenting group. Our group is designed to work with parents of children whose primary difficulty is anxiety with related avoidance behavior. Please answer the following questions so that we can gain a better understanding of you and your child.

Rx Refill Request

Please be advised that the turnaround time for prescription refill requests is no more than 48 business hours.  This means anything received on Friday will be completed no later than the same time the following Tuesday (assuming that Monday is not a holiday).  If you cannot give us that much time, please call the office as soon as possible and do not use this form

REACH Screening Form

Contact Us