DBT Therapy in NYC

If emotions feel too intense or relationships feel hard, you might feel overwhelmed trying to navigate it alone. It can be incredibly difficult to break patterns you’ve been living with for a long time, or even your whole life.

We offer Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help you feel more grounded, connected, and in control of your life. In-person in NYC and virtually across NY, NJ, PA & CO.

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Not sure which therapist is the right fit? Contact us so we can match you.

Meet Our DBT Therapists

dbt therapy nyc

Anna Chapman, MSEd, LMSW

Best for LGBTQIA+ adults and neurodivergent clients

Anna brings 20 years of teaching experience to the therapy space, making her especially skilled at breaking down complex emotion regulation skills into accessible, learnable tools. She is also queer and neurodivergent herself, so she understands these lived experiences firsthand and cultivates an affirming, empowering presence in sessions. Anna’s patient, educational approach helps clients understand not just what to do, but why these skills work.

  • Credentials: Licensed Master Social Worker, Master’s of Education

  • Location: In person at Brooklyn & Manhattan offices

  • Virtual therapy? Yes, in addition to in-person

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dbt therapy in nyc

Zoe Dartley, LMSW

Best for young adults and perinatal mental health 

Zoe integrates DBT with Motivational Interviewing to help clients build intrinsic motivation for change rather than feeling pressured or shamed. Her background as a NICU and Labor & Delivery Social Worker gives her unique insight into using DBT skills during the intense emotional transitions of pregnancy, postpartum, and early parenthood. She also specializes in helping young adults navigate anxiety, depression, and life transitions.

  • Credentials: Licensed Master Social Worker

  • Location: Virtual in NYC

  • Virtual therapy? Yes, in NY and CO

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dbt therapist nyc

Christina Kennedy, MHC-LP

Best for teens and families

Christina works with adolescents (along with their loved ones) as they navigate eating disorders, trauma, anxiety, and identity development. She uses DBT to help teens build emotional regulation skills while supporting parents in creating a validating, supportive home environment. Her affirming, authentic approach tends to resonate with young people who need someone who gets the pressures they're facing without judgment.

  • Credentials: Mental Health Counselor - Limited Permit

  • Location: In person at the Manhattan office 

  • Virtual therapy? Yes, in addition to in-person

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dialectical behavior therapy nyc

Pam Skop, LMHC-D, CEDS, RPYT

Best for eating disorders and trauma

As the founder of EveryBody Psychotherapy, Pam takes an integrative approach to therapy, integrating DBT skills alongside somatic embodiment practices. Pam is a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist and has a background in yoga and childbirth education, giving her a unique mind-body perspective as she helps clients learn distress tolerance and emotional regulation skills to help clients struggling with disordered eating, trauma, and perinatal challenges.

  • Credentials: Licensed Mental Health Counselor with Diagnostic Privilege, Certified Eating Disorders Specialist, Registered Yoga Teacher

  • Location: Virtual in NYC 

  • Virtual therapy? Yes, in NY, NJ, and PA

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Other Resources for DBT Therapy in NYC

While we are passionate about incorporating DBT skills into our work with eating disorders, perinatal mental health, trauma, and identity, we recognize that there will be some situations in which other DBT treatment programs may be a better fit. 

If you're looking for a higher level of care or specialized DBT programming outside our scope, here are some trusted local resources:

What Sets Our DBT Apart

There are many Dialectical Behavior Therapy options in NYC, but our approach is different. Here's what makes EveryBody Psychotherapy stand out:

  • Integrative approach: We blend DBT skills with trauma-informed care, nervous system regulation, and body-based practices like somatic therapy.

  • Identity-affirming care: Our therapists specialize in size inclusivity, LGBTQIA+ affirmation, and neurodivergence-affirming therapy.

  • Flexible structure: Unlike rigid DBT programs requiring separate skills groups, we offer individual sessions that incorporate skills training tailored to your needs.

  • Specialized expertise: We bring deep knowledge in eating disorders, perinatal mental health, and identity exploration—areas many traditional DBT programs overlook.

  • Accessible options: Virtual and in-person sessions are available, with sliding scale spots for those who need financial flexibility.

We create a space where all parts of your identity are welcomed and where DBT skills are adapted to fit your unique life and goals. Whether you're navigating an eating disorder, perinatal mental health challenges, or exploring your identity, our team has the specialized training to support you.

What Experiences DBT Can Help With

  • Intense emotional reactions that feel out of control or disproportionate to the situation

  • Relationship conflicts stemming from fear of abandonment, poor boundaries, or communication struggles

  • Self-harm or suicidal thoughts that are actually coping mechanisms for overwhelming emotions

  • Impulsive behaviors, including binge eating, substance use, spending, or risky decisions

  • Chronic feelings of emptiness or identity confusion about who you are

  • Difficulty regulating emotions during life transitions like postpartum, breakups, or career changes

  • People-pleasing and burnout from constantly suppressing your needs to avoid conflict

  • Anxiety and depression that haven't responded well to traditional talk therapy alone

What You Can Get From DBT

Build emotional awareness & regulation

DBT teaches you to recognize and name your emotions before they escalate, giving you the power to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively. You'll learn skills to ride emotional waves without inadvertently making things worse.

Develop distress tolerance

When life feels unbearable, DBT provides concrete crisis survival skills to get through the moment safely. You'll learn how to accept difficult realities while working toward change, finding the balance between the two.

Improve interpersonal effectiveness

Therapy helps you communicate your needs clearly, set healthy boundaries, and navigate conflicts without sacrificing relationships or yourself. You'll build confidence in asking for what you want while still maintaining respect for others.

Practice mindful awareness

DBT's mindfulness skills help you stay present rather than ruminating about the past or catastrophizing the future. You'll cultivate awareness of your thoughts, feelings, and body sensations without judgment, creating space for intentional choices.

What to Expect From the Therapy Process

Step 1: Free consultation

Schedule a intro call with one of our DBT therapists to discuss your needs, answer questions, and determine if we're a good fit. This is your opportunity to share what's bringing you to therapy and learn about our approach.

Step 2: Initial assessment & goal setting

In your first few sessions, we'll explore your current challenges, coping patterns, and what you hope to achieve through therapy. Together, we'll identify which DBT skills will be most helpful for your specific situation and create a collaborative treatment plan.

Step 3: Learning & practicing DBT skills

You'll work with your therapist to learn the four core DBT principles: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Between sessions, you'll practice these skills in real-life situations and troubleshoot what works best for you.

Step 4: Integration & long-term change

As skills become second nature, therapy shifts toward deepening self-awareness, processing underlying trauma, and building a life aligned with your values. You'll gain confidence in managing challenges independently while maintaining therapeutic support as needed.

FAQs About Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

  • DBT is particularly effective for people experiencing intense emotions, impulsive behaviors, relationship instability, and chronic suicidal thoughts or self-harm. Originally developed for borderline personality disorder, research shows that DBT can help anyone struggling with emotion dysregulation, including those with eating disorders, substance use issues, PTSD, depression, and anxiety.

  • DBT may not be the best fit for you if you are:

    • Seeking short-term crisis intervention

    • Experiencing active psychosis 

    • Have severe cognitive impairment

    • Prefer an unstructured approach

    If you’re not sure whether DBT could be a good fit for you, contact us for a free consultation so we can discuss your unique situation.

  • We integrate DBT skills with trauma-informed, body-based practices and specialized expertise in eating disorders, perinatal mental health, and LGBTQIA+ care. Unlike traditional DBT programs that require separate skills groups and individual therapy, we offer flexible individual sessions that incorporate skills training. Our approach is also weight-neutral, anti-diet, and affirming of neurodivergence and all identities, creating an inclusive space often missing from standard DBT programs.

  • DBT is sometimes covered by insurance. However, our practice is direct pay so we don’t bill insurance directly. We can provide you with a superbill to submit for out-of-network reimbursement if your plan offers this benefit.

Start DBT Therapy Today

You deserve a life that feels grounded, connected, and meaningful. Reach out, and let's see if we're the right fit.

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