DBT Skills Coaching
DBT Skills Coaching is a one-on-one, skills-focused service for adolescents and adults who want practical tools for managing intense emotions and navigating relationships more effectively.
This individualized approach offers a flexible alternative to traditional DBT skills groups, allowing clients to move at their own pace and focus on the skills most relevant to their goals.
What is DBT Skills Coaching?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based treatment designed to help individuals manage intense emotions, reduce self-harm or suicidal behaviors, and build a life that feels more stable and meaningful.
Traditional DBT includes both individual therapy and a weekly skills group, typically lasting 24 weeks. During this time, participants learn core DBT skills across four modules: mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. DBT for adolescents (DBT-A) also includes a fifth module—Walking the Middle Path—which focuses on improving family communication and reducing conflict.
For many people, participating in a DBT skills group is not feasible. Scheduling constraints, transportation challenges, or a preference for more individualized support can make group treatment difficult. Others are interested in learning DBT skills without enrolling in a full comprehensive DBT program.
At Morning Light Psychology, we offer individual DBT Skills Coaching for adolescents and adults in New York. This one-on-one model provides a personalized and flexible way to learn DBT skills, with pacing and content tailored to your specific goals. Clients may choose to complete all DBT skills modules (five for adolescents) or focus on the skills most relevant to their current challenges.
Sessions are available in person in Manhattan or virtually throughout New York State. Scheduling is flexible, with options for extended sessions or meeting multiple times per week for those seeking a more focused or accelerated learning process.
If you are interested in DBT Skills Coaching and would like to explore whether this approach is a good fit, please reach out to schedule a brief phone consultation.
Is DBT Skills Coaching the Right Fit?
May Be a Good Fit If You:
Want practical, evidence-based tools for managing intense emotions
Prefer individualized support over group-based learning
Have scheduling or logistical barriers to attending a skills group
Are looking for structured, skills-focused work
Want to focus on specific DBT modules rather than a full program
May Not Be the Best Fit If You:
Are seeking comprehensive DBT with a skills group and full DBT team support
Need a higher level of care or intensive crisis intervention
Prefer an unstructured or exploratory therapy approach
How Sessions Work
1-on-1 DBT Skills Coaching
Adolescents, adults, or parents
In person (Manhattan) or virtual (New York)
Flexible scheduling
Focus on select modules or complete all modules
Accelerated pacing available when clinically appropriate
If you’re interested in learning DBT skills in a more personalized and flexible format, I’d be happy to talk with you about whether DBT Skills Coaching is a good fit for your needs.