How long is the program?
Our full DBT program is 40 weeks long.  This is the recommended length of treatment to gain the maximum benefit of DBT.

We also offer an abbreviated 20-week program for youth who would benefit from DBT but are not engaging in life-threatening behaviors.

How long and how many times a week is a typical session?

Each client is usually seen once a week by their individual therapist and attends a weekly skills group.  Individual sessions are 50-60 minutes and skills groups are from 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours long. 

How much does it cost? 

Our therapists provide a sliding scale fee based on your family’s size and income.  We will work with you to figure out how to make the DBT program as affordable as possible.

If you have health insurance, you may be able to receive reimbursement for part of what you pay for DBT services.  Check with your insurance company for information on your coverage. 

How do we get started or get more information?

Call us or email us here at Middle Path Counseling, and a member of our DBT team can answer your questions.  If the program sounds like a good fit for your needs, we can schedule you for an Intake Assessment right away.

Do I need to take medications?

As counselors and therapists, we are not legally qualified to prescribe medications.  Your therapist will work with you to assess whether it might be advisable to consult with a psychiatrist about medication to address symptoms of anxiety, depression or other difficulties.  Clients may access a psychiatrist through their health insurance coverage and/or receive a referral from your therapist to a community psychiatrist.  Some Primary Care Physicians are comfortable with perscription of medication to address these issues.   

What does research say about DBT?

DBT is a evidence-based therapy.  Research shows DBT is effective at:

1. Improving emotion management
2. Decreasing self-destructive behavior
3. Reducing family conflict
4. Improving the quality of relationships

For more information about how DBT works please click and read this document provided by Behavior Tech. 

Are individual therapy and skills group offered separately?

No. MiddlePath Counseling practices "full fidelity" DBT. This means that individual therapy and skills groups are always paired together. Skills groups are not offered unless a client is being seen by a MiddlePath therapist. This is to uphold our commitment to providing our clients with the best likelihood of success.

Where is skills group being held (right now)?

Middle Path Counseling is currently offering one skills groups to adolescents and young adults. Another skills group will be starting in mid-March. Sense we are a group of independent practitioners, each counselor is located in a different location throughout Bellingham. Therefore, the time and location of skills groups is likely to change every now and then based on the needs of the clients and leaders. It is currently being held on Wednesday nights from 5:00 to 6:30 at 2110 Iron Street.