How long is the program?
Our full DBT program is 50 weeks long. This is the recommended length of treatment to gain the maximum benefit of DBT.
Upon individual assessment, an abbreviated 25 week program may be possible for those 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 long.
How much does it cost?
Each therapist provides their own sliding scale fee based on your family’s size and income. Therapists 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 here at Middle Path Counseling, 360 201 0120, 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. That will secure your place on our waiting list.
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 prescribing medication to address these issues.
What does research say about DBT?
DBT is an evidence-based therapy. Research shows DBT is effective at:
- Improving emotion management
- Decreasing self-destructive behavior
- Reducing family conflict
- Improving the quality of relationships
Are individual therapy and skills group offered separately?
Sometimes. Our therapists practice "full fidelity" DBT. This means that individual therapy and skills groups are always paired together. This is to uphold our commitment to providing clients with the best likelihood of success. Sometimes it may be possible for a client to join our skills class if they already have an individual therapist who is familiar with DBT but is not a member of our Middlepath consultation team. Please call to inquire about this option.
Where is skills group being held (right now)?
Currently, our adult skills group is in person in downtown Bellingham. Since 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. Skills group leaders will be in contact with clients before the group starts to give them all the necessary information about where and when the group starts. Space for participants may be limited and is given as it becomes available.