What is DBT?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based treatment originally developed for individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder or those demonstrating significant emotion dysregulation across cognitive, emotional, behavioral and interpersonal domains. It has since been effectively adapted to treat a wide range of concerns including substance use disorders, eating disorders, chronic pain, high-risk behaviors and persistent treatment-interfering patterns. Research consistently shows that DBT can reduce psychiatric hospitalizations, crisis service utilization and self-injury while improving functioning, emotional stability and quality of life.
About our program
Our DBT services are provided in person at the Division Street Clinic in Harrisburg. Must be at least 18 years of age and out of high school to enter the DBT program.
DBT is particularly helpful for clients who:
- Experience intense or rapidly shifting emotions.
- Struggle with impulsivity or distress tolerance.
- Engage in self-harm or chronic suicidal ideation.
- Have significant interpersonal instability.
- Have not responded fully to traditional outpatient therapy.
DBT teaches practical, measurable skills across four core domains:
- Mindfulness 鈥� improving awareness, attention and cognitive flexibility.
- Distress Tolerance 鈥� building crisis survival skills and reducing impulsive reactions.
- Emotion Regulation 鈥� decreasing emotional vulnerability and increasing positive emotional experiences.
- Interpersonal Effectiveness 鈥� strengthening communication, boundaries and relationship stability.
Key program components include:
Pretreatment Orientation
- Required entry phase consisting of a weekly two-hour group for two weeks. The start date varies and will be discussed at intake.
- Provides foundational DBT education, target behavior identification and program orientation.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
- 13-week program, three days per week (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday).
- Choice of a.m. or p.m. track depending on availability. Must stick to track once chosen.
- Includes weekly individual therapy sessions plus skills classes and access to coaching calls.
Outpatient Skills Training
- Rolling admission skills groups Mondays and Thursdays, 1 to 2:30 p.m.
- Covers all four DBT modules over approximately 26 weeks.
- Must have individual therapy while enrolled though it is not guaranteed that it can be provided by DBT staff.
Graduate Support Group
- Therapist-facilitated group for DBT graduates within or outside of PPI. The format is less structured than the IOP and relies primarily upon the group members to provide validation, feedback, problem solving or skills discussion.
- The graduate support group meets for 13 weeks on Wednesdays from 9 to 11 a.m. on rolling entry.
- Must have individual therapy while enrolled though it is not guaranteed that it can be provided by DBT staff.
Additional program features:
- Psychiatric services are available for clients who need medication management and are not already connected with a provider.
- Eating disorder screening when clinically indicated to ensure medical appropriateness.
- Bus passes are available for some clients (transportation otherwise not provided).
- Most insurance plans are accepted, though copays may apply.
Referral criteria
Appropriate referrals include adults (18+) who are out of high school and would benefit from structured, skills-based treatment requiring consistent attendance and active participation. This program is not clinically indicated for individuals experiencing active psychosis or for those whose cognitive functioning limitations would prevent meaningful participation in a skills-based group treatment model.
All clients begin with an intake appointment with the DBT Resource Coordinator prior to being scheduled for programming or psychiatry services.
We welcome referrals from therapists, psychiatrists, primary care providers, schools, courts and community agencies.
Getting started
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is offered on the lower level of the Division Street Clinic
401 Division St., Harrisburg, PA 17110
For an in-depth discussion about how DBT can help you reach your goals, or to refer to the DBT OP Group or DBT Graduate Support Group, call 717-782-6515.
For referrals to DBT/IOP, please call the Admissions Department at 717-782-6493.