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Lukin Center for Psychotherapy

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Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) in New Jersey

Quick Summary

Lukin Center provides Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for adults, young adults, and adolescents in New Jersey. Treatment options include DBT-informed individual therapy and more structured DBT care for people who may benefit from skills training, individual therapy, and additional support.

DBT can help people develop practical skills for managing intense emotions, tolerating distress, improving relationships, and responding differently to difficult situations. Our intake team can help determine which DBT treatment option may best fit your needs. If you’re looking for an introduction to the therapy itself, learn more about what DBT is and how it works.

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What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based form of psychotherapy that combines strategies for change with acceptance and mindfulness. Treatment helps people develop practical skills for responding to intense emotions, stressful situations, impulsive urges, and relationship difficulties.

DBT is organized around four core skill areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. How those skills are incorporated into treatment depends on the person’s needs and whether they participate in DBT-informed individual therapy or a more comprehensive DBT treatment model.

For a deeper explanation of the approach and its four core skills, visit What Is DBT Therapy and Who Can It Help?

Want a quick, plain-language walkthrough? Watch this brief DBT overview video on our channel:

➡️ DBT Explained: Skills That Help You Cope

DBT at a Glance

  • What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?
  • Who Can Benefit From DBT?
  • How DBT Works at the Lukin Center
  • A Unique, Life-Changing DBT Skills Program at the Lukin Center
  • Inside a DBT Session – What to Expect
  • DBT Skills: What You’ll Actually Learn
  • Comprehensive vs. DBT-Informed Therapy
  • Outcomes, Commitment, and Fit
  • Why Choose the Lukin Center for DBT
  • Frequently Asked Questions About DBT
  • Get Started With DBT in New Jersey
Mental Health therapist works with client using Dialectical Behavior Therapy

DBT techniques help you improve your relationships with family, coworkers, and romantic partners.

Who Can Benefit From DBT?

DBT is designed for anyone who struggles to manage intense emotions or feels trapped in unhealthy behavioral cycles.

You may benefit from DBT if you:

  • Experience frequent mood swings or emotional outbursts
  • Struggle with impulsivity, self-sabotaging behaviors, or perfectionism
  • Have difficulty maintaining healthy relationships
  • Feel emotionally “flooded,” numb, or on edge after stressful events
  • Battle anxiety, depression, trauma, or burnout from chronic stress
  • Find that other forms of therapy haven’t given lasting relief

DBT is particularly helpful for individuals with:

  • Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
  • PTSD or complex trauma
  • Eating disorders or disordered eating patterns
  • Bipolar disorder and mood instability
  • Substance use and relapse prevention challenges
  • ADHD and emotional impulsivity

DBT may also be considered for teens and young adults who experience significant emotional reactivity, communication difficulties, impulsive behavior, or challenges managing distress. For some adolescents, involving caregivers in skills development can help create a more consistent approach to communication and emotional regulation at home.

The appropriate level of DBT support varies from person to person. An intake consultation can help determine whether DBT-informed individual therapy or a more structured DBT treatment model may be appropriate.

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How DBT Works at the Lukin Center

DBT treatment is not one-size-fits-all. At the Lukin Center, the appropriate approach depends on the person’s symptoms, treatment goals, current support system, and the level of structure they may benefit from. There are two primary ways DBT may be incorporated into care:

Comprehensive DBT

Comprehensive DBT follows a structured treatment model and typically combines several components of care, including:

  • Individual DBT therapy to identify treatment goals, apply skills to real-life situations, and address patterns interfering with progress.
  • DBT skills training focused on mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
  • Between-session coaching, when part of the treatment plan, to support the use of DBT skills during difficult situations.
  • A DBT therapist consultation team that supports coordination and consistency among clinicians providing treatment.

Comprehensive DBT may be appropriate for people experiencing persistent emotional dysregulation, self-harm urges, recurring crises, or other complex concerns that benefit from a highly structured approach.

DBT-Informed Therapy

Not everyone needs a comprehensive DBT program.

DBT-informed therapy incorporates DBT strategies into individual psychotherapy based on the person’s needs. Treatment may focus on specific areas such as emotional regulation, distress tolerance, communication, boundaries, impulsivity, or coping with difficult situations.

This approach may be appropriate for someone who wants to develop DBT skills without participating in the full comprehensive model or when DBT is being incorporated into a broader individual treatment plan.

Not sure which approach fits? Our intake team can help you understand the available options and identify an appropriate next step.

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DBT Clinicians at the Lukin Center

DBT treatment at the Lukin Center is provided by licensed psychologists and psychotherapists with training and experience in evidence-based psychotherapy, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy and related approaches.

Our clinicians work with individuals experiencing concerns such as emotional dysregulation, relationship difficulties, mood and anxiety symptoms, trauma-related challenges, impulsivity, and other patterns that may benefit from DBT strategies.

For clients participating in structured DBT programming, care may also involve clinicians who lead DBT skills training and coordinate treatment across individual and group components.

Meet our DBT clinicians and find the right treatment fit →

 

Looking for a Structured DBT Program?

Some individuals need more than DBT strategies incorporated into individual therapy. Lukin Center also offers structured DBT programming for appropriate clients who may benefit from a combination of skills training, individual support, and coordinated DBT care.

Our DBT Program provides more information about how structured treatment works, current group options, program expectations, participating clinicians, and who may be a good fit.

Explore the DBT Program →

Is DBT the Right Fit for You?

DBT is an active, skills-based form of therapy. Progress depends not only on attending sessions, but also on practicing new responses outside of therapy and applying skills during difficult situations.

DBT may be particularly helpful if you are looking to:

  • Respond to intense emotions more effectively
  • Recover more quickly after stressful situations
  • Reduce impulsive or self-defeating behaviors
  • Improve communication, boundaries, and relationships
  • Build practical coping strategies you can use outside of therapy
  • Take a more structured and active approach to treatment

The amount of structure needed varies. Some people benefit from DBT-informed individual therapy, while others may need the additional support of a comprehensive DBT model.

You do not need to determine that on your own. The intake process can help identify which treatment option may be appropriate based on your current needs and goals.

Why Choose the Lukin Center for DBT in New Jersey?

Finding DBT treatment is not only about finding someone who uses DBT techniques. It is also important to find the appropriate level of care and a clinician who can apply the approach to your specific needs.

At the Lukin Center, DBT care includes:

  • Multiple treatment pathways. Clients may receive DBT-informed individual therapy or, when appropriate, participate in more structured DBT treatment.
  • Clinician expertise. Our psychologists and psychotherapists use evidence-based approaches, with DBT training and experience represented across the treatment team.
  • Coordinated care. When treatment involves multiple DBT components, clinicians can work together to support consistency and skill application.
  • Support across life stages. DBT services are available for adults, young adults, and adolescents based on clinical fit.
  • Flexible access. Treatment options include virtual care for New Jersey residents, along with in-person services when appropriate and available.

Our intake team can help you determine what type of DBT support may be appropriate and connect you with a clinician based on your needs.

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Frequently Asked Questions About DBT

 1. How long does DBT take to complete?

Most comprehensive programs run about 25 weeks, divided into three modules. Each module begins with mindfulness training and builds from there. Some clients repeat a cycle to deepen mastery.

2. Can I keep my current therapist while doing DBT?

Often, yes. Many clients attend Lukin Center DBT skills groups while continuing individual therapy with their existing therapist (we coordinate care with proper releases).

3. Do I have to talk about personal issues in group?

DBT groups are skills-focused and educational, not process groups. You choose how much you share; the emphasis is on learning and practicing tools.

4. What’s the difference between DBT and CBT?

CBT targets thoughts and behaviors; DBT integrates mindfulness and acceptance with those tools. DBT is especially effective for emotion regulation and crisis coping.

5. Does DBT work for anxiety or trauma?

Yes. DBT helps reduce avoidance, regulate arousal, and build coping capacity—core needs in anxiety and trauma recovery. For details on conditions supported, visit: What Can DBT Help With?

6. How do I know whether I need DBT-informed therapy or a comprehensive DBT program?

The appropriate level of treatment depends on your symptoms, goals, current supports, and how much structure you may benefit from. Some people use DBT strategies within individual therapy, while others benefit from a comprehensive approach that includes multiple components of DBT care.

You do not need to choose the treatment model before contacting us. Our intake team can help you understand the available options and identify an appropriate next step.

Get Started With DBT in New Jersey

You do not need to know which form of DBT is right for you before reaching out.

Our intake team can learn more about what you are experiencing, discuss the available DBT treatment options, and help identify an appropriate clinician or next step.

Looking for DBT Therapy?

If you are interested in DBT-informed individual therapy or want help determining what level of DBT support may fit your needs, contact our intake team.

Contact the Lukin Center →

Or call (201) 409-0393 .

Interested in Comprehensive or Structured DBT?

If you are specifically looking for skills training or a more structured DBT treatment model, learn more about program structure, current options, clinicians, and participation requirements.

Explore the DBT Program →

Ready to get started?
Life-changing results start here.

If you or your loved one are ready to connect with our team of compassionate professionals, we’re here for you.

Once we receive your information, Dr. Lukin will discuss with you what you hope to achieve at the Lukin Center. If you decide you’re ready, he’ll match you with the clinician with the right expertise and approach to help you achieve the results you want.

Check out the Lukin triage difference.

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