Discover how starting dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
5 therapists available in Gainesville
As a married mother of 3, I understand the challenges of life and family, as well as the anxiety and depression that can be caused...
About
As a married mother of 3, I understand the challenges of life and family, as well as the anxiety and depression that can be caused by the transitional stages of life.
I am a Registered Mental Health Intern with 1 year of experience supporting clients managing a range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, borderline personality, and psychosis. My work focuses on helping clients find their voice and feel heard by their family and friends. I aim to guide clients in learning how to communicate their emotions and needs effectively while recognizing that their diagnosis does not define who they are.
I earned a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Grand Canyon University. My therapeutic approach is holistic, empathetic, and client-centered. I help clients develop coping strategies, build emotional awareness, and strengthen communication skills to support lasting personal growth and resilience.
Taking the first step toward therapy can feel overwhelming, but it’s a powerful act of self-care. I encourage you to keep moving forward, reach out, schedule an appointment, and begin the process of finding clarity, healing, and connection. Together, we can help you discover the tools and confidence to reach your goals.
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I’ve learned that having a safe, judgment-free space to explore your experience can be crucial in times of stress....
I’ve learned that having a safe, judgment-free space to explore your experience can be crucial in times of stress.
I am a Registered Mental Health Counselor resident in the State of Florida. I work with clients from diverse backgrounds and age groups who may be navigating challenges such as depression, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, cultural struggles, or workplace concerns. I focus on helping clients build the tools and skills they need to cope with stress while also exploring the deeper issues impacting their emotional and mental well-being.
I hold a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from National Louis University. My approach to care is holistic and integrative, blending evidence-based techniques with client-centered support. I believe every person knows themselves best, so I tailor therapy to meet individual needs and preferences in a safe, healing environment.
I am committed to walking alongside you as you work toward healing and growth. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, grief, depression, or life transitions. I will provide a supportive space where you feel heard and empowered. Together, we can create healthier patterns and meaningful change so you can move forward with confidence.
My role is to provide a safe, non-judgmental, supportive environment that will allow you to grow in awareness of yourself and modi...
My role is to provide a safe, non-judgmental, supportive environment that will allow you to grow in awareness of yourself and modify the things that create chaos and rigidity in your life, allowing you to optimize your health.
I am a Registered Clinical Social Work Intern with 24 years of experience supporting trauma survivors, including those affected by sexual violence, intimate partner violence, stalking, and homicide. I also work with clients managing anxiety, depression, and major life transitions. My approach is grounded in empathy, collaboration, and respect for each client’s journey. I strive to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where humor, vulnerability, and healing can coexist as clients move toward a more fulfilling life.
I earned my Master’s in Social Work from Florida State University. My integrative approach combines cognitive behavioral therapy, crisis intervention theory, and a strengths-based perspective. I am trained in eye movement desensitization reprocessing and have experience supporting individuals and caregivers in the neurodivergent community.
Life can feel overwhelming, and we all need community—especially during difficult times. Reaching out for help is a brave step. My goal is to provide a compassionate, empowering space where clients can rediscover their resilience and begin writing new chapters of healing, clarity, and growth.
As a woman of color, I understand the unique issues of dealing with social and environmental conflicts....
As a woman of color, I understand the unique issues of dealing with social and environmental conflicts.
Kimberly Cohens is a Registered Clinical Social Worker with over 25 years of experience. She specializes in assisting young adults in navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, and self-worth. Kimberly strives to provide a safe, compassionate space for individuals to gain clarity, build coping skills, and foster resilience. She has worked with children in the foster care system and with patients of all ages in psychiatric hospital settings. Kimberly encourages clients to explore various negative thought processes and develop healthier more meaningful ways to deal with problem areas.
Kimberly received her Master of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania. She utilizes a variety of approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, and mindfulness-based methods.
Kimberly is passionate about helping others reach their goals and believes everyone has strengths that they can use to overcome even the most challenging circumstances. She brings a compassionate and non-judgmental approach to helping others reach their full potential and would be honored to work with you!
I believe in connecting with clients and providing a safe, supportive, nonjudgmental space....
I believe in connecting with clients and providing a safe, supportive, nonjudgmental space.
Vanessa Cumber is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with over 10 years of experience in the mental health field. She is passionate about working with clients to help them face their unique challenges and barriers and achieve more quality and fulfillment in their lives. Vanessa specializes in anxiety, depression, trauma, marital and relationship issues, major life transitions, life adjustment difficulties, symptom management, and addiction. She commits to being genuine and open to doing ongoing work to develop personally and professionally.
Vanessa completed her Master's in Counseling Psychology at Palm Beach Atlantic University. She utilizes an eclectic approach to treatment, incorporating cognitive behavioral therapy, person-centered therapy, solution-focused therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and motivational interviewing.
Life happens and it is normal to feel stressed or overwhelmed. Seeking help can be scary, but Vanessa's supportive, collaborative approach lets clients feel safe and capable of moving toward desired change, growth, and healing.
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
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The pillars of DBT are mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. This is a skills-based treatment model and there is a lot of psychoeducation involved. People that benefit the most from this approach are individuals struggling to control very intense emotions. Difficulty in emotional regulation can lead to suicidal ideation, self-harm, substance use, binge eating, and difficulty managing interpersonal relationships.
Each treatment stage comes with several tools. Some of the tools that I use the most are:
Improvement in emotional regulation can be observed by a decrease or an absence of suicidal thoughts/self-harm/impulsive or risky behaviors, improved interpersonal relationships, more flexibility with changes in life, and overall processing emotions in healthier ways.
It depends — every client is different. One person could supplement DBT with meditation and breathing practices; other people could benefit from other modalities of therapy (group, family, couples) or self-help groups.
Clients need to be ready to practice DBT tools outside of the therapy session; homework is a very important part of treatment.
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 Gainesville, FL 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.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
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