Arlington Virginia DBT Counseling Specialist: John - Focused on DBT Therapy, LGBTQIA+, & Mental Health.
Begin your path to wellness with John, a seasoned counselor in Arlington Virginia, deeply attuned to addressing specific challenges like LGBTQIA+ issues, relational conflict, life transitions, depression, anxiety, multicultural dynamics, identity exploration, suicidal ideation, trauma, legal system intricacies, and personality disorders. John employs an extensive array of therapeutic approaches, including trauma-informed care, ACT, CBT, and notably, DBT. His expertise is underpinned by Master’s degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Forensic and Legal Psychology. Having significantly impacted the LGBTQIA+ community through his work at a DC health center, John is skilled in navigating complex emotional and psychological landscapes. Beyond counseling, he enjoys cooking, traveling, and immersing himself in literature. Contact John for a tailored and empathetic approach to your mental health and personal development needs.
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A properly trained DBT therapist will:
- Change your relationship with your emotions, not push you to get rid of them
- Help clients regulate intense emotions by teaching mindfulness techniques
- Collaborate to find alternatives to ineffective behavior, not just provide an outlet to vent
- Work with clients on improving interpersonal relationships and communication skills
- Set an agenda for every session based on your “diary card,” not press forward without a clear structure
- Continuously monitor progress and adjust treatment as needed based on individual needs
- Identify what prompts unwanted feelings and patterns, not judge them
Note: Many therapists use the DBT label even when they have limited training and/or use only portions of the treatment. Each therapist on our team has far exceeded the requisite number of training and clinical hours required, and we maintain ongoing DBT skills training and development for our entire team.
At the Counseling Center Group, we adhere to DBT treatment as Dr. Marsha M. Linehan developed it. We are committed to providing DBT adherently, in the way that research has supported it to be effective for both individuals and groups alike.
DBT Programs in Virginia
Our experienced, licensed therapists are highly trained in DBT, providing compassionate and expert care with the goal of helping restore balance to your life.
At Counseling Center Group, we recognize the importance of having an experienced therapist who is committed to your success in achieving lasting results from your treatment program. We offer comprehensive treatments based on our professional experience & scientific research that are tailored to meet your unique needs. We are dedicated to providing a safe environment where you can explore new ways of understanding yourself & work towards achieving positive outcomes in your life moving forward. Whether through DBT therapies such as Individual Therapy, Group Skills Training, Telephone Coaching, video therapy sessions & more, your journey to success starts with us!
Testimonials-The Counseling Center Group of Virginia
~N.Kimathi
“Victoria is kind, compassionate, a great listener, and very skilled in applying DBT to various struggles where help and healing are needed. Without hesitation, I often refer individuals to Victoria, since I know they will be in excellent hands with her.”
~M.Falcone
“I have collaborated closely with Victoria and have been so impressed by her professionalism and kindness. I would highly recommend her to anyone who is seeking counseling services.”
~L.MacLean
DBT FAQ's
Dialectical behavior therapy is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) used to treat various psychological disorders including borderline personality disorder, trauma-related issues, anxiety, and depression. It was developed by researcher Marsha Linehan as a means of incorporating skills from Eastern mindfulness practices with Western psychotherapeutic concepts and philosophy.
At its core, DBT seeks to help people increase their psychological flexibility and build skills for coping with distress and managing emotions. It helps them learn how to balance change and acceptance through dialectics—a philosophical concept that involves two seemingly opposing ideas or views coming together to create a synthesis. The therapist helps the client bridge polarizing perspectives into a workable solution, which is often referred to as “the middle path” or “the wise mind.”
The practice of DBT involves four skill modules: Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, and Interpersonal Effectiveness. Through learning these skills, clients can develop greater self-awareness, more adaptive coping mechanisms for dealing with stressors, improved communication skills for interacting with others in relationships, and the ability to make behavioral changes when needed.
In addition to the skills modules mentioned above, DBT also includes general principles that guide therapy sessions. These include validating client experiences; providing guidance while still allowing autonomy; helping clients find meaning in their experiences; fostering collaboration between therapist and client; utilizing behaviorism techniques such as reinforcement, punishment and extinction; problem-solving techniques; improving communication between therapist and client; setting goals based on individual needs rather than just symptom reduction; accepting mistakes as part of the learning process; recognizing the possibility for growth even when progress seems slow or nonexistent; using praise to reinforce positive behaviors; emphasizing self-care over any other activity during therapy sessions; encouraging out of session practice of learned skills between counseling sessions outside of treatment sessions with loved ones or peers that can assist in recovery efforts or serve as a sounding board for clients when they need assistance in navigating difficult situations related to the skill sets gained during therapy work.
Additionally, psychoeducation around specific topics related to mental health can be used as needed throughout treatment, depending on individual issues presented by each person receiving services.
Studies have indeed been conducted to assess the effectiveness of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) as a treatment for various mental health issues. A systematic review and meta-analysis published in 2015 and conducted by researchers at Oxford University, for example, concluded that DBT was an effective intervention for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Other research has found DBT to be successful in decreasing symptoms of depression, improving social functioning, and assisting with anger management.
Multiple studies have also suggested that DBT can reduce self-harm behaviors among those with BPD and reduce anxiety symptoms among participants suffering from a generalized anxiety disorder. Additionally, numerous reviews have pointed out that when compared to other therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), there is evidence suggesting that DBT may be slightly more effective than CBT in reducing symptoms related to BPD. The efficacy of DBT has also been supported through randomized controlled trials, indicating the long-term benefits associated with this type of therapy over time.
Specifically, these studies suggest that individuals who undergo at least one year of treatment experience more significant improvements in overall psychological functioning compared to those who receive shorter periods of treatment or no treatment at all. Lastly, the results from the various research studies conducted on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) support its potential use as an effective therapeutic intervention for a wide range of mental health issues, including depression and anxiety disorders.
To determine if your insurance provider will reimburse you for therapy sessions, consider taking the following steps:
- Contact Your Insurance Provider:
- Utilize the member services number located on the back of your insurance card.
- Reach out to inquire about your mental health benefits and coverage specifics.
- Ask Detailed Questions:
- Inquire about out-of-network mental health benefits, specifying the type of services you are seeking (e.g., individual therapy).
- Ask about reimbursement rates or percentages for the designated service codes (e.g., 90834 for 45-minute individual therapy).
- Clarify if a deductible must be met before reimbursement is provided.
- Understand the Claims Submission Process:
- If you plan to submit claims yourself, inquire about the process and documentation requirements.
- Confirm if superbills with all necessary codes and information will be provided via email on a monthly basis.
- Explore Our Courtesy Billing Service:
- Enquire about the option to enroll in our Courtesy Billing service, which is offered free of charge.
- This service involves our team handling the initial claims submission process on your behalf, reducing the administrative burden for you.
To learn more about our specific session costs, please contact us today!
