12-Week DBT-Informed Program
Leads: Katelyn Kapelinski, LMHC & Jenna Zubik, LMHC-A
Available: In-person and telehealth options
Interested in Working for Pillars in This Program?
We’re always looking for passionate, skilled clinicians who want to make a difference in their specialty area while being part of a collaborative and supportive team.
As a member of this Center of Excellence, you’ll have the opportunity to:
- Provide focused services in your area of interest
- Collaborate with other program-aligned clinicians
- Receive mentorship, supervision, or leadership opportunities
- Help shape the future of programming and community outreach
- Grow clinically while contributing to innovation and excellence
Whether you’re early in your career or looking to expand your expertise, we’re committed to helping you thrive professionally and make an impact.
Who This Program Is For
This program is designed for individuals who:
- Experience difficulty regulating emotions or managing mood swings
- Struggle in relationships or with intense interpersonal conflict
- Engage in self-destructive behaviors (e.g., self-harm, disordered eating, substance use)
- Are coping with trauma, stress, or symptoms related to borderline personality disorder (BPD)
- Want practical skills to manage distress and improve emotional resilience
This is a short-term, skills-based program suited for those who are motivated to learn and apply new coping tools in a structured, time-limited format.
What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a structured type of cognitive behavioral therapy originally developed to treat borderline personality disorder. Today, it is widely used to support people who experience:
- Emotional dysregulation
- Trauma-related symptoms
- Suicidal ideation
- Substance misuse
- Self-sabotaging behaviors
- Relationship difficulties
The goals of DBT are to help individuals:
- Live in the present moment
- Cope with stress in healthy ways
- Regulate their emotions
- Improve communication and relationships
What to Expect
Each weekly individual session combines processing and skill-building, with a format that includes:
- 30 minutes of client-centered therapy and check-in
- 30 minutes focused on building DBT skills
This structure supports both emotional insight and the practical application of new tools in daily life.
Each weekly virtual group therapy session is required as well and includes:
- Diary card check-ins
- Supplemental skills training
- Connection and relatability with other peers
Program Structure: Weekly Focus Areas
Weeks 1–2: Mindfulness
- Week 1: Introduction to DBT and mindfulness
- Week 2: Mindfulness – the three mind states
Weeks 3–5: Distress Tolerance
- Week 3: Distraction, self-soothing, IMPROVE the moment
- Week 4: Pros & cons, STOP, and TIPP
- Week 5: Radical Acceptance: Turning the mind, willingness vs willfulness
Weeks 6–8: Emotion Regulation
- Week 6: What is emotion regulation? Why it matters and what gets in the way
- Week 7: Building positive emotions, living by values, mastery, and coping
- Week 8: Self-care (PLEASE skills), mindfulness of current emotion, opposite action, problem solving
Weeks 9–11: Interpersonal Effectiveness
- Week 9: Introduction to interpersonal effectiveness, dialectics, middle ground, THINK skills
- Week 10: Relationship effectiveness goals, DEAR MAN skills
- Week 11: Validation, GIVE skills, self-respect effectiveness, FAST
Week 12: Review
- Review of all core skill areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness
- Planning for next steps, treatment transition, and optional long-term care referrals
Transition & Treatment Completion
This program is structured as short-term care. If ongoing therapy is desired, providers will assist in identifying appropriate long-term options during the 12 weeks. Please note: it is the client’s responsibility to secure follow-up services post-program.
Getting Started
Want to Learn More About DBT?
If you’re curious about how Dialectical Behavior Therapy works, who it’s for, or how it compares to other treatment approaches, we’ve put together a helpful resource to guide you.
🔗 What Is DBT? A Guide to Dialectical Behavior Therapy