DBT Therapy - In-Person & Video TeleHealth
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FAQ's
What is Comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?
Comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) refers to treatment that includes weekly individual DBT sessions, weekly DBT Skills Group, and telephone coaching in between sessions as needed to help individuals apply the skills in real life situations.
At our practice we offer Comprehensive DBT; DBT Informed Individual therapy without Group; or a Group-Only option if you are seeing another therapist or are in the regular care of a psychiatrist.
How Intensive is the Program at Princeton Center for DBT and Counseling?
We provide care at the outpatient level which means that you will receive between 1 and 3.5 hours of therapy per week. We are not an inpatient, intensive outpatient or partial hospitalization program.
What other types of psychotherapy services do you offer?
In addition to serving the needs of our clients, who come to us for DBT and our DBT Groups, our highly trained and experienced clinicians maintain varied treatment philosophies. Traditional talk therapy methods, that are enhanced by clinically proven evidence based therapies, include the following: Mindfulness-Based Psychotherapy, The Gottman Method for Couples, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Exposure Therapy for Anxiety and OCD.
Payment?
Princeton Center for DBT and Counseling is an out-of-network provider with the exception of HealthSmart and Princeton University Aetna Student Health Plan.
Check with your insurance plan to see if you have out of network benefits for mental health. If you do, our individual sessions and groups are typically reimbursable under out- of- network mental health services. However, the amount of reimbursement varies greatly dependent upon the plan.
What are the fees?
Our Individual or Couples/Partners counseling session fee is $180 (50-60 minutes) and our group fee ranges from $80.00 to $125.00 (60 to 120 minutes). Our initial Intake (60 minutes) is $210.00 and Individual Extended session (90 minutes) is $270.
Keep in mind, we do not require a 90-minute session for an intake and it is fine to opt for a regular one hour session as your first appointment.
FAQ's - Individual Therapy
Do I have to do DBT if I see one of your therapists?
While DBT is our specialty, our therapists offer other models of psychotherapy as well. Our website describes our various approaches and offerings.
Do I have to do a group if I see one of your therapists individually?
No. Many of our clients see one of our therapists individually but do not participate in a group. The best treatment plan for you will be determined collaboratively with you, your therapist and any other treatment providers you see.
Can I do DBT Skills Training on an individual basis as opposed to joining a group?
Yes, skills training can be done individually. It is billed at the individual session rate. That being said, we generally recommend that DBT Skills Training be done in a group whenever possible. There are many benefits of the group model including: learning from and feeling validated by the struggles of others; feeling connected to and supported by others in the group; an opportunity for social interaction, and an opportunity to practice skills within the group setting.
Do your therapists prescribe medication?
No, you must go to a separate provider for medication. We can recommend prescribers and are happy to work collaboratively with whomever you see for that purpose.
FAQ's - Skills Training Groups
What is the fee for group and is it covered by insurance?
The fee for groups is $100 per session per 90 minute session and $80 per 60 minute session. Ask about fees for Special Series Groups. Princeton Center for DBT and Counseling is out of network but the groups may be covered by out-of-network benefits for mental health if that is part of your plan. Check with your individual plan to see what your coverage is for out of network “group psychotherapy”.
How far in advance do I have to pay for groups?
You pay as you go. No money is collected in advance of groups attended.
What if I have to miss group due to illness or vacation?
Regular attendance is critical if you are to benefit fully from the group. However, an occasional miss due to illness, planned vacations, or an unforeseen emergency is understandable. If absences become regular we sometimes suggest that you postpone enrollment or take a break until a time when you are able to more fully commit.
How do I enroll in a group?
You will need to complete an intake session with the leader of the group you are joining. During this session the therapist will get a brief history from you; as well as provide you with an orientation to the group. To initiate that process please call Lona Stranieri, LCSW at (609) 921-0020 or email Lona@PrincetonDBT.com.
Can I join an already established group or do I have to wait for the start of a new group?
Most of the time participants are joining an already established group when the group returns to the beginning of a new module. If you have already been through DBT Skills Training with another provider, it is not necessary to wait and you can begin mid-module. If you are new to DBT and there is a considerable wait time to return to a new module, it is possible to work individually with a Skills Trainer in order to prepare you to join a mid-module group.
Can I attend a group if my individual therapist is in a different practice or doesn’t practice DBT?
Yes, our groups are open to everyone regardless of who their individual therapist is, and what modality they practice. At the time of intake, participants who are seeing outside therapists will be asked for consent for the Group Leader to consult with the individual therapist as needed for the benefit of the client’s overall treatment plan.
How often will I attend group sessions?
Groups meet once weekly for 90 minutes.
When are the groups?
Groups are offered on different days at different times throughout the week in order to accommodate a range of scheduling needs. It is best to check our website for the most current schedule.
If I miss my group in a given week, can I attend a different one that week?
No, our groups are all in different modules or different parts of the same module; so it is not possible to make up a missed group by attending a different group. Homework is posted weekly on the website (PrincetonDBT.com/groups) and can be checked if a group is missed – in order to help you keep up.
How long will I be in a group?
It takes a minimum of 7-9 months to cover all 4 modules one time through. Many individuals benefit from two full rounds of skills. However, this is not always required. Once you have completed all 4 modules, you are welcome to return for a second full round, or to repeat any of the individual modules – if you feel a need to. We also encourage our former participants to return to group at a later date, should they need to “tune up” their skills.
What is discussed in group?
We cover four modules:
Mindfulness
Distress Tolerance
Emotion Regulation ,and
Interpersonal Effectiveness.
There is a set agenda that is followed in each group. Homework is assigned and reviewed every week. The group content is focused on the skills. Sharing of a lot of personal information is discouraged. For more details on the content of the modules, refer to the group information on our website PrincetonDBT.com.
What is the participant makeup of the group?
Princeton Center for DBT and Counseling prides itself on the diversity of its groups and the rich experience this diversity provides. Our groups consist of adolescent/teen groups, adult groups - ages 18 and older, mixed gender, from all walks of life, and college students. For us, this has proven to be an effective way for participants to get the maximum benefit. The feedback we consistently get from group members is that they valued the experience of being in a group with people from different life stages and backgrounds. There are typically between 5-10 participants in group at a time.
What do I need to bring to group?
You will be asked to purchase a workbook published by Guilford Press: DBT Skills Training Handouts and Worksheets, second edition by Marsha Linehan.
It is available on Amazon or directly from the publisher.