Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Adult Outpatient Therapy at Northern Light Acadia is pleased to offer Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Our DBT program is fully virtual with a focus on providing intensive skill-building to help adults struggling with drastic mood swings, unstable relationships, and impulsive behaviors.

What is DBT?

DBT is a 26-week intensive program focusing on building the skills needed to help manage emotions and improve relationships. Attendees meet twice per week – once in a group setting and once individually – with a therapist trained in DBT to learn and hone skills that will be most helpful for your personal journey. Through intensive group work as well as weekly homework, you will build confidence in applying skills directly to your life. Several past participants have shared that DBT helped them feel more in control of their lives and that life is worth living.

Meetings and individual appointments

There are two options for DBT group meetings each week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 am to 12 pm. You will be assigned to one of these groups as well as an individual appointment scheduled at a time that is convenient for you and your therapist.

How do you know if DBT is right for you?

Participants need to be diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD). To be eligible for this diagnosis, patients must be experiencing several symptoms including:

• Drastic mood swings
• Intense fear of being rejected or being abandoned
• Intense anger and/or angry outbursts
• Impulsivity
• Trouble maintaining friendships/relationships
• Self-harm behaviors
• Thoughts of suicide

If you are experiencing these symptoms and are unsure if you have borderline personality disorder, speak with your healthcare provider or use our secure online referral form HERE.  
Those who self-refer will receive a diagnostic evaluation to determine if a person is eligible for DBT.

How to get started

• Current Northern Light Health patients: simply ask your provider to make a referral using their in-system referral tab.
• Non-Northern Light Health patients: Ask your provider to call Acadia’s Behavioral Health Resource Center at 207.973.6100 or 1.800.640.1211
• Self-referrals: Please complete our secure online referral form or call Acadia’s Behavioral Health Resource Center at 207.973.6100 or 1.800.640.1211

Please note the following:

• All patients new to Acadia Hospital will undergo a diagnostic evaluation where diagnosis for borderline personality disorder will be confirmed prior to being placed on the waitlist.

Not all patients referred to the DBT program will meet criteria for the program and a referral is not a guarantee of acceptance. If it is determined that DBT is not a good fit, we will gladly work with you to find an appropriate option to meet your individual needs.