When facing the prospect of finding a DBT therapist, it can feel like you need a step-by-step list, to make sure the process goes as smoothly as possible. We’ve laid out the process here, from recognizing you need a DBT therapist near you to getting started with treatment so you can confidently navigate getting the care you need.
Step one: Realizing you need a new therapist
As you evolve and understand yourself better, and as life adds pressure and shifts what support you have in your life, it can become apparent that you need a new therapist.
Maybe talk therapy hasn’t been working for you, or you suspect or have received a new diagnosis and need more specific care. You may find that dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, would be a better fit for your needs.
DBT works differently
Dialectical behavior therapy is a four-pronged approach to therapy, including individual therapy sessions, group therapy sessions where you can practice DBT skills, phone coaching with your therapist between sessions, and a structured consultation team for your DBT therapist, so they can have the support they need to best help you.
DBT builds on skills to improve your emotional regulation, interpersonal skills, distress tolerance, and mindfulness. You integrate practical skills from therapy into your daily life, meaning DBT is more a therapy of doing, rather than just talking through things.
Overcoming stigma and fear
It is common for people to feel apprehensive about starting a new kind of therapy, or working with a new therapist. You may be worried about what the experience will be like; will it actually help you? Will you actually feel supported in the process?
You may be worried about what other people will think. If you grew up in a household or culture where therapy isn’t considered helpful, or where seeking mental health care is stigmatized, reaching out can be tough!
Keep this in mind: you are doing a brave, powerful thing by trying to find a therapist in Seattle, one who can better meet your needs, perhaps with dialectical behavior therapy. If you are thorough in asking questions about the therapy process with your DBT therapist, and can be bold in trying something new, you’ll reap the rewards of supportive, quality care. Even if you don’t have enough support in your family and social circle right now, you’ll find support in a program that meets your needs. You can do this!
Step two: Deciding what program is right for you
There are several standard options for mental health care, each with advantages and challenges. Consider what you need in terms of frequency and intensity of care, so when you seek out a therapist you can make sure they provide the care you need. After an initial assessment, your therapist can also help you determine what DBT program may be right for you.
Outpatient therapy:
The most common form of therapy takes place in an outpatient setting, with sessions in a practitioner’s office or via telehealth. Common frequencies include once a week for an hour, or sometimes biweekly, depending on finances and need. Outpatient DBT providers can help you maintain and practice the skills you learned in a more intensive DBT treatment program listed below.
Intensive outpatient therapy (IOP):
A larger time commitment than outpatient therapy, IOP programs are multiple days a week, often for longer periods of time in the day than a typical outpatient session. They can be a good option after leaving a residential or partial hospitalization program, or if a residential program is not feasible.
Partial hospitalization program (PHP):
An all-day program that takes place in varying settings to provide medical, nutritional, therapeutic, and holistic care, a PHP balances being able to go home in the evenings with an intensive, targeted therapy program. At THIRA Health, participants in our PHP program also have the opportunity to stay at our fully staffed housing, which we call The Retreat.
Residential treatment:
Residential mental health treatment has you live where you get care; support can be found day or night. The consistency of treatment and ability to focus means residential treatment is often considered a key first step in mental health care for serious concerns.
When finding a therapist or DBT treatment program near you, you can ask about the requirements for their programs, and what you’ll need when you start.
Step three: Figuring out insurance
This can happen before or after you find a program that’s right for you and may actually be part of your search process. Contacting your insurance company can be a good starting point, to find out what mental health care coverage you have. They may also have a list of practitioners they work with, getting your search started. Alternately, a lot of practices have a list of insurers they work with, which could be another direction from which you approach finding care.
Some questions you may want to consider include:
- What will your coinsurance, deductible, copay, and out-of-pocket costs be for treatment?
- Will you require prior authorization for different services? What happens if you don’t get that authorization before seeking care?
- What is excluded by your plan?
- Can you travel for care?
- What kind of out-of-network coverage do you have?
- Will you need to pay out of pocket and submit reimbursement requests?
Once you have a good idea of what is possible with your insurance, you can start searching for a therapist. Alternatively, you can search for a good fit first, then figure out what insurance will cover, as long as you understand there is a possibility of paying out of pocket.
Step four: Finding a DBT therapist in Seattle
An internet search can be a great starting point for finding a DBT therapist in Seattle, though your healthcare provider may also be able to refer you to a therapist.
Once you’ve found a therapist or practice you think will be a good fit, you’ll want to contact them to get started. Most therapists have contact forms on their website as well as phone numbers, and will allow you to schedule a free consult to learn more about how they work.
When you get in touch with a prospective therapist, you’ll want to check for a few things:
Credentials:
Different credentials allow for different kinds of treatment. Asking your prospective therapist about their credentials, and what kind of care they can provide, can help you find what you need.
Therapy modalities:
If you’re looking for a therapist who uses dialectical behavior therapy, you’ll want to ask about how they practice DBT. Practicing DBT with fidelity is key to providing quality care. You can also ask about what other modalities they use, and ask about what those entail, so you can understand exactly what options are available to you.
Therapy program commitments:
Does your prospective therapist work in a practice that only does outpatient therapy? Do they work with other program types? What will you need to do when you’re in one of their programs?
Overall personality match
Feeling safe, and like your therapist is trustworthy and understands you, is very important to your care. Getting a feel for the personality of your therapist, and whether they’re someone you can be comfortable around, is something you should always consider.
Referrals
If you’re already working with a medical provider or therapist, they can refer you to a DBT program like the one at THIRA; this typically happens through a form on the program website, or a phone call. This referral process can help get you started with your DBT program, allowing for continuity in your care by connecting your current care provider with your future one to best help you get what you need.
Step five: Getting started in the DBT program
You’ve made it! Once you get to the point of getting started in the DBT program you selected, you will have all the information you need about your therapist, what kind of program you’ll be working in, and the costs and insurance coverage possible for you.
From here, you’ll travel to Seattle to get started. You’ll be embarking on a journey of self-understanding. You and your therapist will start by getting to know you, and what your needs and concerns are. From there, you’ll get started with individual therapy, with group therapy that includes dialectical behavioral therapy skills building, and depending on the program, holistic nutritional and personal care as well.
If you find yourself in need of guidance as you work toward finding a DBT therapist in Seattle, feel free to get in touch with THIRA Health. We are here to help.
