DBT Treatment in Long Island
DBT Therapists in Long Island, NY
At Cognitive Behavioral Associates, we specialize in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help individuals in Long Island, NY, navigate emotional challenges, build healthier relationships, and develop effective coping strategies. Our experienced DBT therapists provide individual therapy, group skills training, and ongoing support tailored to your needs.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based approach that blends cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness strategies. Our DBT therapists in Long Island, NY, guide clients through sessions to improve emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance. Whether you’re struggling with overwhelming emotions, impulsive behaviors, or interpersonal conflicts, DBT offers the skills necessary to foster long-term positive change.
DBT for Teens and Families
Meet one of the developers of DBT for Adolescents
If your teen is struggling, you want to know who you're trusting with their care. Dr. Jill Rathus, co-founder and co-director of Cognitive Behavioral Associates, developed the adolescent and family version of DBT with Dr. Alec Miller and Dr. Marsha Linehan, the founder of DBT. That work includes Walking the Middle Path, the skills module that helps teens and parents step out of black-and-white thinking and argue less at home.
Her books are the main texts therapists use for DBT with teens and families. She wrote DBT with Suicidal Adolescents with Alec Miller and Marsha Linehan, and the DBT Skills Manual for Adolescents with Alec Miller, both published by The Guilford Press. She's also a co-author of DBT Skills in Schools (DBT STEPS-A).
Dr. Rathus is board certified in DBT by the DBT-Linehan Board of Certification. She has trained thousands of mental health professionals in the US and abroad, co-chairs the Treatment Integrity Committee of the World DBT Association, and in 2016 received the Cindy Sanderson Outstanding Educator Award from ISITDBT.
Today, clinicians around the world learn DBT for Adolescents from her. With Dr. Miller and Dr. Linehan, she teaches the Psychwire course DBT Foundational for Adolescents & Families, the only on-demand DBT-A course taught by the treatment's original developers. Her standard for that training is simple: when clinicians finish, they should be able to "sit down with a family and begin delivering it."
That's the standard our team works to here in Great Neck. When your family comes to CBA for DBT, you're working with the practice Dr. Rathus co-founded and still co-directs.
Are you a clinician? See Dr. Rathus's online DBT training
Our Areas of Expertise for Adults
Common Psychological Issues
- OCD
- depression
- mood disorders
- anxiety disorders
- phobias
- panic disorders
- habit disorders
- stress management
- anger management
- relationship problems
- adjusting to college
- executive coaching
The basics
What is DBT?
DBT is a structured, comprehensive form of cognitive-behavioral therapy designed to help individuals gain control over their emotions and behaviors. Our DBT therapists in Long Island, NY, work with adults, adolescents, and families to enhance emotional resilience, manage stress, and navigate complex relationships.
By integrating mindfulness and behavioral strategies, DBT helps individuals break free from negative cycles and develop a more balanced, fulfilling life.
Group skills training
DBT Skills Taught in Group
In DBT groups, clients learn skills to help with intense emotions that are overwhelming or last too long, strategies for increasing positive feelings and decreasing vulnerability to emotional ups and downs, how to communicate more effectively, decrease family conflict, decrease impulsivity, and improve focus and awareness to enhance coping, make better decisions and enjoy things more.
Mindfulness
Become more centered, focused, and aware in the here and now so that you can be more attentive and more thoughtful and deliberate in your actions.
Distress Tolerance
Develop skills to help you ride out emotional stressors and painful situations without worsening your problems or emotional state.
Interpersonal Effectiveness
Enhance your interpersonal skills and become better equipped to maintain relationships, assert yourself, and build self-respect.
Emotional Regulation
Work to understand your emotions better, develop strategies for reducing your vulnerabilities to negative or all-consuming emotions, increase positive emotions, and learn how to change painful emotions that you want to change.
Walking the Middle Path
Learn how to walk the middle path between extremes in your thinking or behavior, break free of black & white thinking, increase your ability to validate others and yourself, reduce family conflict, and learn more effective ways to change behaviors.
What we treat
What Problems Does DBT Solve?
Through individual therapy and weekly skills training, DBT fosters self-awareness, emotional control, and problem-solving abilities. Our Long Island DBT program addresses:
- Impulsivity
- Emotional dysregulation
- Anxiety, depression, and anger
- Identity struggles and self-worth issues
- Interpersonal conflicts
- Suicidal thoughts
- Intentional self-injury
Our DBT therapists use a combination of validation and change-oriented strategies to help clients develop lasting improvements in their emotional and behavioral responses.
Find Expert DBT Therapists in Long Island, NY
If you’re looking for professional DBT therapy in Long Island, NY, Cognitive Behavioral Associates is here to help. Our skilled therapists offer individualized support to help you regain emotional balance, improve relationships, and build a more fulfilling life. Contact us today to learn more about our DBT programs and schedule an appointment.
Schedule a phone consultationFAQ About DBT
What does DBT stand for?
DBT stands for dialectical behavior therapy. “Dialectical” refers to balancing two things at once: accepting yourself as you are while also working to change behaviors that aren’t helping you.
What is DBT used for?
DBT helps people who struggle with intense or overwhelming emotions, impulsivity, interpersonal conflict, identity and self-worth issues, suicidal thoughts, and intentional self-injury. It is also used for anxiety, depression, and anger.
What skills does DBT teach?
DBT teaches five core skill areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and walking the middle path. Together they help you ride out painful moments, communicate more effectively, and break free of black-and-white thinking.
How long does DBT take?
It varies by person. DBT combines individual therapy with weekly skills training, and many people take part for several months or longer so they have time to learn and practice each set of skills.
What is DBT phone coaching?
Phone coaching is support between sessions that helps you apply the skills you’re learning in real-life situations, without waiting until your next appointment.
Is DBT available for teens?
Yes. Our DBT therapists work with adults, adolescents, and families, and DBT skills can also help reduce family conflict.
Do you offer DBT on Long Island?
Yes. Cognitive Behavioral Associates offers individual DBT and group skills training in Great Neck, serving clients throughout Long Island, NY.