Discover how starting dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
4 therapists available in Columbia
As a woman who has experienced many life challenges, adjustments, and losses, I understand the importance of therapy. My work cent...
About
As a woman who has experienced many life challenges, adjustments, and losses, I understand the importance of therapy. My work centers on balance, resilience, play, and self-exploration to see the whole person.
I am a Licensed Independent Social Worker - Clinical Practice with 21 years of experience supporting individuals on their path to healing and growth. I specialize in helping adults navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, and identity-related concerns, while creating a safe and affirming space for exploration and transformation. My work is grounded in compassion, authenticity, and empowerment, helping clients build resilience and reconnect with their inner strength.
I earned a Master’s in Social Work from Widener University. I use an integrative approach that blends cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and trauma-informed care to meet each client’s unique needs. My goal is to help clients gain insight, develop effective coping skills, and experience meaningful personal change.
I believe therapy is a collaborative journey where healing unfolds through self-discovery and connection. Together, we’ll explore challenges, identify strengths, and create a plan that supports your goals. Whether you’re seeking relief, clarity, or transformation, I’m here to walk beside you every step of the way.
Education and training
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As a woman who has spent a long time learning how to claim my authentic self to empower my personal choices, I use my own loss, gr...
As a woman who has spent a long time learning how to claim my authentic self to empower my personal choices, I use my own loss, grief, and trauma, as well as life changes, to witness my clients' truth and courage to choose their transformation.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with 27 years of experience helping children, adults, couples, and families navigate depression, anxiety, grief, ADHD, post-traumatic stress disorder, and major life transitions. My goal is to provide compassionate and grounded support as clients explore their emotional patterns and rediscover their capacity for healing, growth, and connection in a safe, nonjudgmental space.
I earned a Master’s in Counseling from the University of South Carolina. I believe that healing begins with awareness and recognizing outdated coping mechanisms and learning new ways to respond that align with who you are today. My approach integrates cognitive behavioral therapy and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing.
I encourage clients to feel deeply without losing themselves in the process and to “feel everything, just don’t drown in it.” I believe healing is found in mindful presence, self-compassion, and consistency. I would be honored to walk beside you as you uncover your most authentic self and build a life rooted in strength, peace, and empowerment.
As a military soldier who has experienced trauma and trauma-related symptoms on and off the battlefield, I am committed to showing...
As a military soldier who has experienced trauma and trauma-related symptoms on and off the battlefield, I am committed to showing others empathy and to the success of their treatment outcome.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with 8 years of experience helping individuals overcome trauma and achieve emotional balance. As a 20-year military veteran, I bring structure, discipline, and compassion to my work. I have supported clients with PTSD, depression, anxiety, and personality disorders across inpatient and outpatient settings. My goal is to create a safe and empowering environment where every person is treated with dignity and respect.
I earned my Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from South University and completed my psychology studies at the University of Phoenix. I integrate cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy to help clients identify unhelpful thoughts, manage emotions, and navigate life’s challenges effectively.
I am committed to walking beside my clients on their healing journey, offering empathy, accountability, and unwavering support. Guided by my military values, I believe in never leaving anyone behind—especially when it comes to mental health. Together, we will work to uncover strength, resilience, and hope for a better tomorrow.
Reaching out for help can be daunting, but I’m here to support, encourage, and guide you as you work toward becoming the best vers...
Reaching out for help can be daunting, but I’m here to support, encourage, and guide you as you work toward becoming the best version of yourself.
Christine Leonard, a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Addiction Counselor Supervisor, brings over 12 years of experience working with adolescents, young adults, and adults. Christine specializes in working with individuals with addictions, trauma, PTSD, anger, and ADHD. She is committed to creating a safe, judgment-free space where clients can express themselves openly. Christine empowers individuals to build confidence, overcome challenges, and make positive, lasting changes for a more fulfilling future.
Christine holds a Master’s in Addiction Counseling from Grand Canyon University. She takes a client-centered approach, working to create personalized treatment plans. She integrates evidence-based methods, including cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused brief therapy, to restore balance and resilience. Christine prioritizes a trusting therapeutic relationship to support growth and healing.
Christine understands how hard it can be to seek help and honors each client’s courage in taking that first step. She is passionate about helping individuals develop insight, self-awareness, and strength, leading to lasting personal growth. Christine looks forward to supporting you on your unique journey.
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
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At Thriveworks, Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) primarily concentrates on assisting individuals in emotion regulation, enhancing interpersonal relationships, and acquiring effective coping strategies for managing stress and emotional difficulties.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) targets your personal challenges. You may work with your DBT therapist to maintain diary cards to monitor progress, emphasizing validation and support in the therapeutic relationship. DBT follows a stage-based approach, prioritizing crisis reduction initially and life satisfaction.
DBT was initially developed to address the needs of individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, its versatile approach has enabled its application to a wide range of mental health conditions, including but not limited to, anxiety, depression, stress, and anger issues.
The 4 pillars of DBT are mindfulness, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) have distinct purposes and aren’t inherently superior or inferior to one another. DBT is most effective for managing emotional regulation, personality disorders, and interpersonal challenges, while EMDR is specifically tailored for individuals with trauma-related conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) with therapists at Thriveworks in Columbia, SC is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
The duration of a standard DBT program is typically around 24 weeks, which is roughly six months. The actual number of sessions will vary depending on the issues you wish to address.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is an intervention intended for clients with borderline personality disorder, but it is increasingly being used for many other disorders because of its usefulness with clients who are unable to self-regulate and deal with stressful moments in their lives. is an intensive, highly structured program that’s been adapted specifically for adolescents with extreme emotional instability, including self-harm and suicidal ideation.
The “dialectical” in DBT means the therapy works by dealing with two things at once that might seem contradictory: acceptance of feelings (mindfulness) and learning to use thinking to change feelings (CBT). DBT can used and help these clients with skills to better manage their emotions. To begin DBT yourself, reach out to Thriveworks Columbia to schedule your first appointment.
Using the DBT theory differs from traditional therapies such as CBT, since it can be applied to different areas when working with clients facing a broad range of conditions (including depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder) in which emotional regulation plays a key role. Through understanding and experiential exercises, the client will explore the four modules of skills taught in DBT (Core Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, and Interpersonal Effectiveness) and learn how to utilize these skills in their daily lives.
DBT skills training is very structured; for adults, as well as, adolescents, it consists of five modules:
If you think you could benefit from DBT, reach out to Thriveworks Columbia to schedule an appointment. We offer evening and weekend sessions, accept most major insurances, provide same-week appointments, and offer additional benefits. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
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