DBT individual psychotherapy for adolescents is for individuals diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder or Borderline Personality Disorder traits. Clients participating in DBT individual therapy also attend a DBT skills group or have graduated from a DBT skills group. The goal of DBT individual therapy is to help clients create “a life worth living” by addressing safety issues (suicidal thoughts and behaviors, self-injurious thoughts and behaviors), therapy-interfering issues (impulsive behaviors, things that interfere with therapy), quality of life interfering issues and other specific targets/goals. Clients monitor symptoms and skills used daily on a diary card, which is reviewed in each session. Chain analyses are completed by the client both in sessions and outside sessions to analyze behaviors that the client wants to change and to identify skills that could be helpful. Clients and therapists explore a dialectical way of viewing things, which includes balancing acceptance and change.
The individual therapist is available for “coaching calls” outside of sessions to help the client problem-solve barriers and generalize skills. The individual therapist attends a weekly DBT meeting to gain support and consultation from his or her colleagues.
Family members are encouraged to play an active role in therapy when an adolescent is receiving DBT services.
An intake assessment will be completed with each individual interested in receiving DBT services.
Most types of insurance are accepted, as is private pay. Please contact your insurance company to determine your level of coverage.
For more information, to make a referral, or to schedule an intake, please contact Wendy Adams at Minnesota Center for Psychology, 651-644-4100, ext 111.