Coaching is the part of Comprehensive DBT that happens between sessions. When you are in a hard moment and cannot think which skill to use, you can reach your DBT therapist for brief coaching. Behavioral Tech describes its purpose as helping you use your skills in everyday situations, where you need them most [1].
At North Texas DBT Associates, 24/7 coaching is part of our Comprehensive DBT program and is available to clients enrolled in it. Phone coaching is not a crisis line. In crisis? Call or text 988.
What DBT phone coaching is for
Researchers describe three jobs for DBT phone coaching: helping you carry your skills into real life, helping prevent suicidal behavior, and repairing the relationship with your therapist when something goes wrong between you [2].
A coaching interaction is short and practical. Your therapist helps you choose a skill and use it, and sets clear limits on how long and how often you can reach out [3].
Why phone coaching is part of Comprehensive DBT
One of our assumptions in DBT is that new behavior has to be learned in all relevant contexts. While learning and rehearsing skills in a therapy session is important, it is also imperative that skills make their way out of the therapy setting and into your real life where they really matter! Phone coaching helps to bridge that divide.
Skills need to work in the moment: at home, at work, in an argument, not only in a session. Phone coaching is how Comprehensive DBT carries the skills from the skills training group into the rest of your week [1]. It also gives your therapist a way to coach you before a crisis builds, which is why standard DBT asks you to reach out early [3].
Find out if DBT is right for you
The way to know which level of care fits is to talk it through with us. Call (817) 214-7200 or send us a message, and we will arrange a full intake and assessment with one of our clinicians.
Frequently asked questions
Is phone coaching a crisis line?
No. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
Who can use phone coaching?
Clients enrolled in our Comprehensive DBT program. It is not part of DBT-informed treatment, which is skills group only.
Is phone coaching therapy over the phone?
No. Problems you need to work through in depth go to your weekly individual DBT therapy session. Coaching is for using a skill now.
Related reading
- What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)? and the research behind it
- Why adherence and fidelity matter in Comprehensive DBT treatment
- Comprehensive DBT for suicidal ideation
- Meet our clinicians
- Our fees, including group therapy and intake fees
- All therapy services and areas we serve
The four parts of Comprehensive DBT
Not sure which level of care fits? Read about DBT-informed treatment or go back to What is DBT?
Take the next step
To ask about Comprehensive DBT, call our office at (817) 214-7200, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, email info@ntxdbt.com, or use our contact form.
In crisis? Call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, free and confidential at any hour. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
Sources
- Behavioral Tech Institute. What is DBT? https://behavioraltech.org/dialectical-behavior-therapy-dbt/
- Oliveira, P. N., and Rizvi, S. L. (2018). Phone coaching in dialectical behavior therapy: frequency and relationship to client variables. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 47(5), 383-396. https://doi.org/10.1080/16506073.2018.1437469
- May, J. M., Richardi, T. M., and Barth, K. S. (2016). Dialectical behavior therapy as treatment for borderline personality disorder. Mental Health Clinician, 6(2), 62-67. https://doi.org/10.9740/mhc.2016.03.62
- Ruork, A. K., Yin, Q., and Fruzzetti, A. E. (2022). Phone consultation and burnout among providers of dialectical behaviour therapy. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 29(2), 744-753. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.2668