Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

DBT is a specialized treatment protocol that addresses problematic behaviors that individuals have developed to cope with overwhelming emotions. ​Some of these behaviors may be self-injury, suicidal thoughts/behaviors, substance use, sudden and intense anger, and difficulty in relationships.  DBT combines unconditional validation of an individual's emotional experience while teaching concrete strategies to manage intense emotions effectively and build "a life worth living." 

​Our DBT program, which follows Marsha Linehan's treatment protocol to fidelity, facilitated and implemented  by Kerrie Toole, DBT-Linehan Board of Certification, Certified Clinician™ includes weekly DBT Skills Groups, weekly DBT Individual Therapy, in-the-moment skills coaching, and a therapist Consultation Team.

Comprehensive DBT Therapy for Adolescents and Adults
As part of the comprehensive DBT protocol, DBT individual sessions occur on a weekly basis and include completion of a DBT diary card, building an agenda, and implementing specific treatment interventions. Clients also participate in a weekly DBT Skills Group to learn concrete skills to help regulate emotions. DBT clients within Stage 1 of treatment also have access to their DBT individual therapist for phone coaching support outside of sessions. Stage 2 happens when a client no longer needs coaching support.

Clients typically begin in Stage 1 of Treatment and reassess after six months. At that point, the clinician and client review treatment progress and needs to determine if Stage 1 Treatment is to be extended for another three months, or if the client has progressed to Stage 2 Treatment where Phone Coaching is no longer a required component. 

For information about rates, please visit our Rates & Insurance page. 

DBT Skills Groups (as adjunct support to traditional therapy) 
Emerging data show support that for some individuals, participation in DBT Skills Group in conjunction with non-DBT individual therapy can help individuals learn and implement more effective ways to understand and cope with intense emotions. It is important to be clear that participation in the DBT Skills Group only is NOT equal to participation in the full DBT protocol of services. 

DBT Group for Parents & Families
This seminar series is designed for family members of group members to teach foundational concepts of DBT, review the specific skills group members are learning, and discuss strategies to assist family members to not only coach skills effectively at home, but also to use the skills themselves. The seminar is run at various points throughout the year for approximately 12 weeks. 
Meetings will occur in person on Friday evenings starting September 8, 2023. 
Groups can be billed to insurance, so you will be responsible for any co-pay or deductible as determined by your insurance plan. Private pay cost is $90/session. For more information or to register please email info@castlebrookcounseling.com
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NEW: DBT Intensive Workshop

Castlebrook Counseling Services, Inc. is hosting a 5-day intensive workshop centered on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), catered specifically to college students who are moving or returning to college.

The workshop will teach participants DBT skills that are most relevant to their needs, including:

• An understanding of biological sensitivities during transitions
• Foundational Validation and Change skills in DBT
• Techniques to effectively use skills during college transitions
• New approaches to address problematic situations and behaviors
• Improved communication skills
• Enhanced emotional self-regulation

The workshop will be conducted in-person at Castlebrook Counseling at various times throughout the year.  The workshop fee is $850 and requires a minimum of 4 individuals and a maximum of 12. If there is sufficient interest in other dates, the workshop may be offered again

Hurry! Limited spots available. Please register by emailing info@castlebrookcounseling.com.

Please note: this workshop is based on DBT Skills and does not cover all of the skills and strategies in the year-long DBT Skills Group. If you would like to participate in the year-long DBT Skills Group, please fill out our inquiry from. 

About the DBT-Linehan Board of Certification

We are proud to announce that Castlebrook’s Executive Director, Kerrie Toole, LICSW is one of 16 DBT-LBC Certified Clinicians in Massachusetts and one of just over 400 Certified Clinicians nationally.

DBT was developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan in the early 1990’s to treat individuals who were experiencing intense emotion dysregulation, and often diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. As a researcher, Dr. Linehan wanted this treatment to be replicated according to her model which had been proven to be effective by repeated randomized-control trials. Dr. Linehan created the Dialectical Behavior Therapy – Linehan Board of Certification (DBT-LBC) to ensure that clinicians would be able to demonstrate to clients, stakeholders, and therapy community that they were providing DBT with fidelity to her model.

In order to achieve DBT-LBC Certification, a clinician must submit an extensive application including training in DBT and Mindfulness as well as documentation of successful treatment of clients using DBT, pass an examination measuring proficiency in behavioral treatments and DBT, and submit videotapes of actual DBT sessions to be coded for adherence to the model.

Click here to learn more about Dr. Linehan’s work and the DBT-LBC Certification process.