Discover how starting dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
7 therapists available in Philadelphia
I am committed to ongoing professional development and supporting individuals affected by mental health issues, as well as their f...
About
I am committed to ongoing professional development and supporting individuals affected by mental health issues, as well as their families and loved ones.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with 5 years of experience helping children, adolescents, and young adults navigate life’s challenges. I specialize in supporting individuals through career transitions, relationship struggles, dual diagnoses, and personal growth. My own journey of healing and self-discovery has shaped how I guide others today. I believe the best teachers are often those who were once students of their own healing.
I earned my Master’s in Psychology from Holy Family University. I take a collaborative, solution-focused approach, working with clients to identify strengths, address barriers, and set goals that lead to meaningful, lasting progress.
I provide a judgment-free space where you can feel supported in exploring your goals. Together, we will work through challenges, past traumas, or obstacles that may hold you back. My goal is to help you get to the place where you see and feel your best self.
Education and training
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Healing is not always linear, but with the right support, meaningful change is possible, and I’m here to walk alongside you as you...
Healing is not always linear, but with the right support, meaningful change is possible, and I’m here to walk alongside you as you move toward greater balance, clarity, and strength.
With over 7 years of experience in the mental health field, Jennifer “Jen” Quisenberry, Licensed Professional Counselor, supports individuals navigating dual diagnosis and co-occurring challenges. She takes a holistic, trauma-informed approach that integrates mind, body, and environment to foster lasting change. Jennifer empowers clients to overcome negative patterns, rediscover their inner strength, and take meaningful steps toward balance and healing.
Jennifer holds a Master’s in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling from Duquesne University. She uses a trauma-informed, holistic approach rooted in compassion and respect. Her work centers on helping clients reconnect with their inner strength, regain a sense of personal power, and find clarity in the face of life’s challenges.
Jennifer offers a safe and supportive space for clients feeling stuck or overwhelmed. She believes each person holds the insight and resilience they need—her role is to guide and support them in uncovering it. For those seeking clarity, healing, or growth, Jennifer is honored to walk alongside them on their unique journey.
As a black male therapist, I’m passionate about breaking the stigmas around therapy, especially for men, and creating a space wher...
As a black male therapist, I’m passionate about breaking the stigmas around therapy, especially for men, and creating a space where healing feels safe, relatable, and real.
Clifton “Cliff” Ventour is a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor with 3 years of experience supporting individuals through life’s emotional challenges. Coming from an urban community where therapy is often stigmatized, Cliff is passionate about changing that narrative. He helps clients process anger, manage anxiety and depression, and build healthier coping strategies to feel more in control of their emotional well-being.
Cliff earned his Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Temple University and integrates empathy, emotional regulation, and client-centered techniques into his approach. He supports individuals in processing difficult emotions and encourages growth through validation, trust, and building meaningful therapeutic connections.
Cliff understands healing takes time. He creates a safe, affirming space where clients can move at their own pace. With warmth and patience, he meets individuals where they are and walks alongside them as they navigate challenges, embrace their journey, and move closer to their goals.
Becoming your authentic self is a transforming and long journey, and I’m here to walk alongside you, offering tools and encouragem...
Becoming your authentic self is a transforming and long journey, and I’m here to walk alongside you, offering tools and encouragement along the way.
Hannah Irwin is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate with 1 year of experience. Hannah’s ideal clients seek a safe, affirming space to explore identity, process life transitions, and build resilience. She values collaboration and transparency, working best with clients who appreciate honest feedback and shared input on the treatment process. Her collaborative and integrative approach empowers clients to be active participants in their healing journey.
Hannah has a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. She uses cognitive behavioral therapy, feminist theory, acceptance and commitment therapy, internal family systems, narrative, and mindfulness-based approaches in her work. She provides care rooted in trauma-informed, systematic, and sex-positive frameworks.
Hannah understands that reaching out for help is not always easy. She provides a judgment-free space and welcomes you to connect when you’re ready. She responds promptly during business hours, and while messages sent outside those hours will be answered the next business day, your well-being remains her priority.
As a clinical psychologist, I enjoy working with my clients to help them solve their problems and utilize coping skills....
As a clinical psychologist, I enjoy working with my clients to help them solve their problems and utilize coping skills.
Marcy Shoemaker is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with 14 years of experience who works with diverse clients of all ages. She specializes in supporting individuals through career transitions, life stressors, anger, anxiety, depression, parenting, self-esteem issues, bipolar disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Marcy’s ideal client is open and honest and not hesitant to give feedback on the direction of their therapeutic journey. She believes there is no perfect type of therapy and takes an eclectic approach, working with clients to discuss feelings, problem-solve, and develop coping skills.
Marcy received her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Among the methods she uses are cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, emotionally focused therapy, family systems, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness techniques.
During hard times, it is helpful to have an unbiased third party to listen without judgment. Marcy is ready to be the supportive ear that guides you through your issues and helps you to reach your goals. If you are ready to begin, schedule an appointment today!
I have 30 years of experience in various forms of therapy and am open to using any therapeutic techniques that would help....
I have 30 years of experience in various forms of therapy and am open to using any therapeutic techniques that would help.
MaryAlyce Rensa is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Pennsylvania, who has 30 years of experience counseling adults, teens, and children seeking help with anxiety, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and trauma.
MaryAlyce completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from University of MD, University College, and received her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Towson University in Towson, MD. She utilizes cognitive behavior approaches including rational emotive behavior therapy and other strength-based, collaborative, and solution-focused approaches. MaryAlyce specializes in the creative use of games, art, and music for helping clients to develop insight into their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors, and she is flexible in doing “whatever works” to best meet the needs of her clients.
MaryAlyce often gives homework on self-help activities and encourages participation in the therapeutic activities in sessions. She seeks to establish an open-minded, warm, honest, and caring relationship with you in order to assist in helping you learn to cope with your feelings in healthier ways, to understand and adjust your thoughts to improve your self-esteem and confidence, to build problem-solving skills so you can better help yourself in your life long goals.
Jonathan Lewis is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who also holds a Master of Human Services Graduate Degree (MHS). Jonatha...
Jonathan Lewis is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who also holds a Master of Human Services Graduate Degree (MHS). Jonathan has over 15 years experience partnering with adults seeking help with depression, anxiety, life transitions, men’s issues and relationship issues. He received his Master of Human Services Degree from historic Lincoln University. Jonathan utilizes relational, collaborative, strength based, cognitive behavioral, mindfulness based, solution focused and emotionally focused approaches to therapy always maintaining the creativity, flexibility and awareness necessary to best meet the needs of every unique individual and couple. Jonathan seeks to establish a warm and caring relationship with you in order to assist in building on your strengths and better collaborate with you toward meeting your goals and living the meaningful life you value and desire. Aside from his experience and personal qualities, Jonathan's passion for change is at the core of his counseling. Jonathan is a firm believer that Human Beings have the capacity to change, and many of his clients can attest to that. Jonathan takes pride in providing care with openness and empathy, while providing balance and stability. Jonathan is eager to learn more about you and how he can contribute to your patient care and treatment goals.
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
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I use DBT in my practice as a supplementary treatment modality, a guide for ethical treatment standards, and a catalog of coping skills that can benefit clients with differing symptoms. DBT was specifically designed for use in the treatment of individuals with borderline personality disorder, but can be adapted to work with individuals with various treatment needs. While the creator of the modality encourages the flexible use of the treatment's components, practicing the modality requires individual therapy, skills group instruction, and 24/7 skills coaching. As such, I use DBT-related interventions and theories to enrich my practice when aspects of the treatment are called for. The core value of nonjudgment central to DBT theory is something I strive to embrace with all of my clients.
Some of the DBT-related skills that I introduce are emotional regulation skills, such as the FTIP skills. I also incorporate concepts such as radical acceptance and taking opposite action.
I know a client is making meaningful progress when they are meeting their treatment goals and objectives.
Practicing skills in the moment is important for skill integration. A client can know all of the skills available; however, if they cannot access them when they need them, the knowledge is pointless.
Clients preparing for therapy should take a risk and come with an open mind. Usually, clients find that the process is much less intimidating than they think it might be.
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 Philadelphia, PA 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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