DBT Center
Evidence-based care to help you build a life worth living.
The DBT Center at EBTCS
Comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based treatment (meaning there is research showing it works) for those who have difficulty managing intense emotions. DBT was Developed at the University of Washington by Dr. Marsha Linehan. It is considered the most researched, best-supported treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, research clearly shows that DBT is not just for BPD! It is effective for helping anyone who struggles with intense emotions or behaviors that feel out of control.
The DBT Center at EBTCS has been providing comprehensive DBT to adults and adolescents since 2002. Explore our services or contact us to find out if DBT is a good fit for you.
DBT for Adults
Our adult outpatient DBT program is for individuals 18 years and older. This program is certified by the Linehan Board of Certification, which requires a rigorous evaluation to establish that our program closely follows the DBT treatment manual and protocols that research shows are effective.
We offer all components of comprehensive DBT.
A single “round” of DBT takes six months to complete, and many people find completing a second round helps strengthen their learning. Your provider will discuss The length of treatment with you when we meet you, and this can be changed at any time depending on your progress.
Our comprehensive Adult DBT program includes:
- Individual therapy (typically on a weekly basis) that targets multiple problems with effective treatments within the DBT structure
- Skills training class (typically in a group on a weekly basis)
- Between-session support from your therapist
- Therapist consultation team
- Family meetings as needed
- Support or interventions for people in the client’s environment as needed
- Psychiatric services (if needed)
DBT for Adolescents
Our adolescent and family outpatient DBT program is for individuals ages 13-18.
In this program, teens attend individual therapy alone and skills training class with at least one consistent adult caregiver (most often a parent). Multiple parents are welcome! We consider all members of the class – teens and parents – to be students who can benefit from learning DBT skills.
Our comprehensive Adolescent DBT program includes:
- Individual therapy (typically on a weekly basis) that targets multiple problems with effective treatments within the DBT structure
- Skills training class with the teen and at least one adult (up to two) from the adolescent’s home/living environment (typically on a weekly basis)
- Between-session support from your therapist
- Therapist consultation team
- Behavioral parent training
- Family meetings as needed
- Psychiatric services (if needed)
Skills Training
Skills training is one component of comprehensive DBT. In weekly skills training, you will learn practical skills for changing the ways you manage your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Your skills instructors will help you understand when and how to use these skills, and you’ll have a chance to review your skills homework each week to check your understanding. You’ll learn skills in four different areas
- Mindfulness: Learning how to increase awareness, see yourself and situations more clearly, and slow down impulsive reactions
- Interpersonal effectiveness: Getting what you want while maintaining good relationships with others, as well as maintaining your own self-respect
- Emotion regulation: Learning how to skillfully experience and regulate emotions, and how to let emotions work for you instead of against you
- Distress tolerance: Learning ways to survive a crisis without making it worse, and learning how to accept a distressing situation such that change can be made possible.
Why Choose EBTCS DBT Center
Choosing the right program for Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an important decision. At EBTCS, our DBT Center is built to provide the highest standard of care for individuals struggling with emotional dysregulation and related difficulties. We combine gold-standard, evidence-based treatment with a compassionate, individualized approach to ensure that each person receives the level and type of care they truly need.
Advanced Expertise
All providers have received intensive, advanced training in DBT. Many of our team members have also undergone the rigorous process of becoming board-certified in DBT by the Linehan Board of Certification.
Specialized in Co-Occurring Concerns
We specialize in treating emotion dysregulation, including suicide and self-harming behaviors, alongside co-occurring disorders and problems such as eating disorders, trauma symptoms, substance use, and mood and anxiety disorders.
DBT-Linehan Board-Certified Program
The DBT Adult Program is certified by the DBT-Linehan Board of Certification. This is a very rigorous process that demonstrates we provide gold-standard, comprehensive DBT. We were one of the first programs in the nation to receive this prestigious certification. Please see dbt-lbc.org for more information.
Collaborative, Coordinated Care
Our team meets weekly to collaborate and ensure high-quality care. We also work closely with medical providers and psychiatrists to provide coordinated, comprehensive treatment.
Individualized, Data-Driven Treatment
We collaborate with you to develop an individualized treatment plan based on evidence-based protocols. Approaches are backed by research, tailored to your personal needs, and adapted based on ongoing assessment and progress.
Our Process
It never hurts to talk with a qualified professional. If you think DBT could be a good fit for your problems, get started with these simple steps.
1.
Complete Your Screening
Provide your information by filling out a brief online form, or share your contact details so that we can schedule a phone screen.
2.
Book Your Initial Appointment
Our staff will help you find a convenient appointment time and connect you with one of our expert DBT clinicians.
3.
Start Your Next Chapter
Begin treatment with an approach tailored to your needs. Your therapist will work with you on a unique treatment plan that will help you move towards your own life worth living.
Medication
Our expert psychiatrists have decades of experience working with DBT treatment teams and clients. The decision about whether to include medication as part of the overall treatment plan is made with each client on a case-by-case basis. In addition to providing medication treatment services, our psychiatrists are also available for medication consultations for those individuals who are trying to decide whether medication might be a good option for them.
*Currently, the psychiatrists at EBTCS only provide medication treatment services to those clients who are also receiving therapy services at our centers.
Telehealth: Expert DBT care, available across PSYPACT states
We provide secure, evidence-based telehealth services for patients across Washington State and all PSYPACT states.
PSYPACT (the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact) allows licensed psychologists with advanced credentials to provide care across participating states. This means patients and families can access the same specialized, doctoral-level DBT care offered at our center — even if they live outside our immediate geographic area.
The same care. The same clinicians. The same standards.
Telehealth at the DBT Center is not a simplified or reduced version of treatment. It is the same evidence-based care, delivered by the same expert clinicians, using the same structured treatment approaches.
Through telehealth, we provide:
- Comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), including individual therapy, skills group, and between-session phone coaching
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for emotion dysregulation and related concerns
- Exposure therapy and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for anxiety and OCD
- Family and caregiver involvement, including Behavioral Parent Training
- Treatment for sleep difficulties, including CBT-I and behavioral sleep interventions
- Care for self-harm, suicidality, and emotion dysregulation
All sessions are conducted through secure, HIPAA-compliant platforms and are designed to be engaging, structured, and clinically appropriate.
When telehealth is a strong option
Telehealth can be especially helpful for:
- Patients and families living outside major metropolitan areas
- Patients whose symptoms make traveling difficult
- Patients balancing work, school, and family demands
- Patients who engage more comfortably from their home environment
Research shows that telehealth-delivered DBT and related behavioral treatments are as effective as in-person care for emotion dysregulation and self-harm when delivered by trained specialists — making telehealth a powerful and flexible option for many patients.
Thoughtful recommendations, not one-size-fits-all
While telehealth works well for many patients, it is not always the right fit for every situation. As part of our intake process, we help patients and families determine whether telehealth, in-person care, or a combination of both is most appropriate based on clinical needs, level of risk, and treatment goals.
Our priority is not convenience alone — it’s effectiveness.
Telehealth availability
We currently offer telehealth services to patients and families located in:
- Washington State
- All PSYPACT-participating states
If you’re unsure whether your state is covered, our intake team is happy to help.
Getting started with telehealth care
You don’t need to find a provider in your state or navigate multiple systems. Our team will guide you through eligibility, scheduling, and next steps.
Get in Touch With Us
Please provide your information below and a member of our team will respond as soon as possible.
Address
1200 5th Avenue, Suite 800 Seattle, WA 98101