Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Metro Atlanta Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
At CNSL, we have therapists who are trained in a wide range of treatment methods, including learning and practicing core Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) skills for therapy clients ages 12 and older. Our therapists work with clients to identify their unique mental health needs and goals to design a course of treatment with the best possibility of success.
Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy. Identifying and changing negative ways of thinking in order to achieve positive changes in behavior is the primary goal of cognitive behavioral therapy. DBT incorporates efforts toward positive change with an additional focus on acceptance. The term “dialectical” refers to joining together two opposing ideas, in this case, acceptance and change. DBT helps patients to understand and accept their mental health status while also striving for positive change to improve their quality of life.
Please be advised that we do have therapists that are trained in utilizing DBT techniques in individual sessions also known as DBT-Informed Therapy. However, our practice does not offer Full-fidelity DBT, Comprehensive DBT, an intensive DBT group program (DBT-C), nor do we offer a DBT skills group at this time.
What Is Full Fidelity DBT?
Full Fidelity DBT / Comprehensive DBT programs typically includes four core components:
- Intensive Individual Therapy – Weekly one-on-one therapy sessions with a trained DBT therapist.
- Skills Training Group – Weekly group sessions focusing on teaching and practicing DBT skills, such as mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.
- Phone Coaching – In-the-moment support where clients can call their therapist outside of sessions to receive guidance on applying DBT skills in real-life situations.
- Consultation Team – A team of DBT therapists who meet regularly to ensure adherence to DBT principles and provide mutual support for the therapists.
Full Fidelity DBT is highly structured and typically requires a commitment of six months to a year. It’s recommended for individuals who have chronic, severe emotional dysregulation or life-threatening behaviors like self-harm or suicidal ideation. It is also commonly used for individuals with a diagnosis of BPD, complex trauma, or other personality disorders where emotional regulation is a significant challenge.
*Our practice does not provide this described service. If your needs require 24/7 coaching and intensive, manualized group work, we can help you find a specialized DBT clinic. If you’re seeking to build skills within individual therapy, we can absolutely support you here.
What is Dialectical Behavioral-Informed Therapy?
Dialectical Behavioral-Informed Therapy (DBT-informed) refers to therapy that incorporates principles or skills from DBT without following the full DBT model. During weekly sessions, our trained DBT-informed therapists would incorporate dialectical behavioral therapy principles and core skills (such as mindfulness or distress tolerance) or use DBT techniques within the context of broader therapy work, in a flexible and personalized approach to meet an individual’s treatment need rather than moving through specific stages.
With this approach, only the methods that are most needed are used, but DBT-informed treatment doesn’t include all structured components of full DBT. The format is different, but 1:1 skills training can be effective for clients that aren’t a good fit for DBT group.
For individuals who actively engage in self-harm, experience suicidal ideation, or engage in other life-threatening behaviors, Full-Fidelity DBT/Comprehensive DBT may be a more clinically appropriate treatment option, depending on their individual clinical presentation and level of risk. Comprehensive DBT incorporates individual therapy, group skills training, and phone coaching as part of its structured treatment model.
For individuals who do not engage in these behaviors but continue to experience difficulties with emotional regulation, anxiety, depression, or interpersonal conflicts, DBT-informed counseling may provide an appropriate way to learn and practice DBT skills within the context of individual therapy. The appropriate treatment approach and level of care will ultimately depend on each individual’s unique needs and clinical presentation.
To learn more about our therapy services and how to get started, please reach out to us by calling CNSL at (678) 384-4911 and dialing 1 for Therapy or email client.coordination@cnsl.com. Visit here to view FAQ about our therapy services.
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Victoria Saladna
LCSW
Abigail Shetler
LAPC
Morgan Mitchell
LAPC
Tiffany Peeler
LPC
Linde Ferrero
LCSW
Kimberly Meredith
MAMFT, NCC, LPC
Danielle O’Kelly
LPC
Morgan Kraut
LPC
Jill Bloemker
LPC
Olivia Cantrell
APC
Amanda Flowers
LAMFT
Kiara Cervantes
LAMFT, Certified Prepare/Enrich Facilitator
Karen Dodge
LPC, NCC
Julia Nailor
LCSW
Megan Walsh
Masters Level Pre-licensed Therapist
Erin Smith
LCSW
Ramona Mott
LPC
Madison Medford
LPC
Adam Stephens
LPC
Leigh Bowerfind
MSW
Shannon Dixon
LMSW
Wanda Watson
MA, LPC
Katie Cooley
MS
Cason Carman
MS
Kailey Austin
LMSW
Veronica (Vonnie) Slater
LPC, NCC
Lynn Zyskowski
LPC
Jamila Allen
APC
Crissy Himelstein
LPC, CPCS, RPT-S
Lauren Wallace
LPC, CPCS, RPT-S
Lori Winston
APC, NCC
Desiree’ Lewis
LPC (eligible)
Paige Kieltyka
APC
Leenah Abboud
APC, NCC
Sarah Norris
LCSW
Vaishnavi Veggalam
Graduate Level Counseling Intern
Logan Jackson
Graduate Level Counseling Intern
Gillian DellaPiana
Graduate Level Counseling Intern
Laura Madinger
LPC, OTR/L
Cathryn Heeter
LMSW
Dr. Jack St. Jean
MD, Board-Certified Psychiatrist
Dr. Ayman Fareed
Chief Medical Officer, Psychiatrist
Dr. Jordan Howard
MD, Board-Certified Psychiatrist
Allison Weaver
NP, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Allison Hogan
LMSW
Bailey Paris
LCSW
Bonita (Bonnie) Klopach
BS Ed, LCSW
Ashlee Pratt
LPC, NCC
Brittany Ott
LCSW
Carly Farrell
LCSW, Gerontology Certificate, Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist
David Febles
LMFT
Denise Sunga
MS, LPC, CPCS
Elana Durden
LPC
Emily Morton
PA, NCCPA-Certified
Jackie Lilly
LPC
Jade Johnson
LPC
Kyle Benson
Physician Assistant
McKenzie Lane
PA-C
Jessica Coleman
NCC, LPC
Jess May
LMSW
Julia Cornman
LPC
Kimberly Thompson
PMHNP
Elizabeth McKeon
Board-Certified-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Emily Marsh
PMHNP-BC
Meagan Doughty
PMHNP-BC, Masters in Nursing at University of Alabama
Laura Seipel
LPC, MAAT, ATR, PMH-C
Eunji "Angela" Sung
Nurse Practitioner
Madonna Mezzanotte
LPC, RPT
Maggie Jackson
LCSW
Olivia Dedels
LPC, NCC
Robert Smith II
LPC
Shannon Lehr
LAPC, R-DMT
Mary Susan Goodwyn
LPC, CAC II
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Call: 678.384.4911
Locations
Blairsville
Woodstock – Towne Lake Parkway
4595 Towne Lake Pkwy, Building 300,
Suites 150 & 250
Woodstock, GA 30189
678-403-1120
Atlanta Integrative Psychiatry
Sunshine Counseling
4080 McGinnis Ferry Rd.,
Suites 1304 & 1308
Alpharetta, GA 30005
678-740-3990
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