DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy)

Our DBT Programs

DBT IOP is an Intensive Outpatient Program for people who have not found success in standard outpatient therapy, are experiencing repeated, mental health related hospitalizations, or for those seeking additional support following a transition from inpatient, residential, or partial hospitalization services. Our DBT programs are a welcoming and inclusive space for all. We welcome all races, religious belief systems, ethnic backgrounds, and LBGTQ+.

DBT Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)

Adult DBT IOP (18+)

Adolescent DBT IOP (12-17)

Both Programs Include:

One hour of individual therapy with a DBT-Trained therapist weekly**
Two hours of DBT Skills Training Group weekly.
24/7 access to DBT Phone Coaching to assist in applying skills across environments.
The DBT Treatment Team meets weekly for coordination of group and individual DBT services, ensuring quality client care and treatment outcomes.
Consistent attendance is an essential factor for the success of DBT, therefore commitment and attendance contracts are implemented as part of treatment.
While individuals often experience the most success by completing a full year (12 months) of programming, clients must commit to a minimum of 6 months. Length of treatment varies by individual and is determined by medical necessity and goal attainment.

**Note: All other outpatient individual therapy must pause while participating in DBT IOP, due to individual therapy being provided as part of the intensive outpatient programming. This is a standard DBT protocol to ensure the best treatment outcomes. Participating in additional outpatient therapy concurrently with DBT IOP, will result in insurance claim denials for both services.

Adolescent DBT IOP Note:

The adolescent program requires parent/guardian attendance & participation in all Group Skills Training Sessions. This parent involvement is essential to DBT treatment for adolescents.

Brief DBT Groups
We also offer stand-alone, abbreviated, “Brief DBT” skills training groups that focus on teaching Foundational DBT Skills. Brief DBT Groups are a good fit for people who do not necessarily require an intensive outpatient level of care, but are seeking additional support in learning skills to better manage difficult emotions, tolerate stress, and improve their relationships with others. Individuals may participate in Brief DBT Group independently (group only) or as a supplement to regular outpatient therapy services (individual, family, couples, ARMHS/Skills etc)

Our Brief DBT Groups:

Brief DBT Group for Adults (18+)

Brief DBT Group for Adolescents (12-17)

Brief DBT Groups Include:

1 hour of DBT Skills Group weekly for a duration of 12 weeks.
The 12 week Brief DBT Group programming may be repeated for additional support, if deemed appropriate based on attendance, goal attainment, and medical necessity.

About The Therapy Settings:

Individual Therapy: Available to take place virtually or at any of our 3 office locations in Northfield, Farmington, & New Prague.

DBT Groups: Available in-person or virtually.

About DBT Therapy

DBT utilizes mindful awareness to help people increase their emotional and cognitive regulation by learning about the triggers that lead to reactive states, and helping to assess which coping skills to apply in the sequence of events, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to help avoid undesired reactions.

Dialectic Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches:

Mindfulness: the practice of being fully aware and present in the moment.
Distress Tolerance: the ability to tolerate discomfort.
Interpersonal Effectiveness: positive communication skills, conflict resolution skills and perspective taking.
Emotion Regulation: the ability to handle a variety of emotions in an effective manner.

Who may benefit from DBT?

Adults and Adolescents who are experiencing:

intense emotions, distress that’s difficult to manage, and relationship difficulties.
symptoms of anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorder, PTSD, substance abuse, self harm urges, suicidal ideation, and more.
challenges in daily functioning at home, work, school, or other settings
behavioral concerns including avoidance, intense anger/reactivity, substance use, impulsivity, dissociation, isolation, disordered eating, interpersonal conflicts, and more.
difficulty reaching their mental health goals through individual therapy alone.

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Benefits of DBT Therapy

Why DBT?

Those who complete DBT often report:

Improvement in their self-esteem, the quality of their relationships, and an overall increased ability to maintain emotional stability and experience joy
Improvement in functioning and quality of life due to successful repeated practice and application of new coping skills
Reduction in depression, anxiety, anger, suicidal and self harm urges

DBT balances Acceptance and Change by:

Teaching how to acknowledge your current emotions, thoughts, and experiences without judgment, while also…
Teaching how to develop healthier coping strategies, improve your relationships, and experience a greater sense of balance and well being
DBT is an empirically supported treatment, meaning it has been studied extensively and has been repeatedly proven to be effective.

Why DBT at Secure Base?

Our Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) for both adults and adolescents are certified by the MN Department of Human Services as an adherent DBT program. This means our programming diligently follows the evidence-based approach to DBT and our providers have been extensively trained in DBT.
The DBT care team consists of certified DBT professionals who are committed to a compassionate approach that balances validation and change strategies.
Services that work with your schedule! We offer in person and virtual options as well as evening groups.

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Client Testimonials

Please note: Named identities are undisclosed and protected under HIPAA Compliance laws.

Scroll through testimonials from our DBT program clients to hear about their experience.

“I was very lost and felt like my life was spiraling out of control, didn’t understand myself and when I went through DBT I learned so much about myself and learned to love myself and put myself as a priority again, to be able to understand myself and genuinely better my life starting with my mental health. This program has really changed my life for the better and continue to use what I have learned in DBT to this day.”

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“I was extremely hesitant at first knowing other people would be hearing my stories. But you’re not pressured in this group and they let you take everything at your own pace. There’s no judgment in the room and you’re truly listened to. It was also so comforting hearing everyone else’s struggles and knowing I’m not the only one who deals with them. If you’re willing to be pushed a little out of your shell I strongly recommend this.”

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“I will always recommend DBT to anyone. I actually HAVE recommended it to multiple people over the past year or so. And this is coming from someone who was always 90% sure they couldn’t be helped. Honestly, the more positive I stayed about DBT, the better I felt about attending. I would think of it as “time with friends”, rather than therapy. I really recommend this course. It is lifesaving, even to the ones who feel as though they can’t be fixed.”

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“I did about 7 months of the program and am going to be using the skills I learned to help me through trauma therapy and everyday life.”

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“This program has helped saved my life. […] I hit my rock bottom while in the program. The constant support from the therapists pushed me to keep going, use my skills, process my emotions, and to show up even when I didn’t want to. Showing up is half the battle, everything just eventually clicks. One step at a time, swear if you need to, but don’t give up. And when you are about to give up, that is your cue that you are ready for your change.”

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