Questions about our programs, answered
Licensed clinicians. DBT-Linehan Board Certified Clinician on staff. Rated 4.4 on Google. Fees, logistics, and program questions in plain language, organized by topic, answer first.
Program Overview
Can you tell me about your program?
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DBT Center of Long Beach is a comprehensive DBT center offering both Standard DBT and RO-DBT paths. We assess each client to see which path fits their needs, then tailor individual therapy, skills groups, and phone coaching to that path.
What is Standard DBT for?
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Standard DBT is for people struggling with under-control of emotional regulation, including depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, and self-harm behaviors. If a person goes from 0 to 100 when dysregulated, Standard DBT may be a good fit.
What is RO-DBT for?
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RO-DBT is for people struggling with over-control of emotional regulation. It can be a good fit for anxiety and depression alongside perfectionism, high-achieving tendencies, OCD traits, or eating disorders.
Fees & Insurance
What are the fees?
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Rates depend on which clinician a client is paired with. The current range is $225-$295 for individual sessions and $110 per week for skills groups. Phone coaching is included at no added cost as long as the client is seeing us for individual therapy.
Do you take insurance?
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We are an out-of-network provider. Clients with PPO insurance can request a superbill to submit to their carrier for partial reimbursement based on their specific plan benefits. Clients with HMO, Medi-Cal, or Medicare are not covered by those plans for our services, so those clients self-pay.
Getting Started
Do you see clients in person?
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Yes, we have offices in Long Beach and Irvine and see clients in person for individual therapy. Our skills groups are currently virtual only.
Can I see my current therapist and join your groups only?
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Yes, you can continue seeing your current therapist and still join our skills groups.
How long is the program?
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Individual therapy typically runs 6 to 12 months, with a check-in at the 6-month mark between client and therapist to decide whether to continue, taper to every other week, or complete the program. It is client-specific, based on progress. Skills groups run 24 weeks for Standard DBT or 30 weeks for RO-DBT.
Can I do therapy every other week?
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Not at the start. DBT is skills-based and change-oriented, so every client begins with weekly sessions to build the tools needed for daily life. Three to six months into treatment, titrating to every other week may be suitable, as a collaborative decision between therapist and client.
Are there any other requirements to join?
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Group-only clients may need 1 to 4 weeks of pre-treatment to orient to the group, DBT, and our program, so the client fully understands what it takes to be part of a comprehensive DBT program. Length depends on the client and risk level. Pre-treatment is once a week, billed at the clinician's individual rate.
Between-Session Support
What is phone coaching?
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As long as a client is in individual therapy, they can reach their therapist outside their normally scheduled session, for example a 5 to 10 minute check-in when something dysregulating comes up. The therapist helps the client apply the skills they are learning in the moment. There is no additional charge for this, since we are a comprehensive DBT center.
