What to Expect in Your First DBT Session
Starting Dialectical Behavior Therapy can feel both hopeful and nerve-wracking. Knowing what to expect can help ease some of that uncertainty.
Your First Steps in DBT
Here's what a typical start to comprehensive DBT looks like at Front Range Treatment Center:
Phone Consultation
Before your first in-person appointment, most DBT programs begin with a brief phone consultation. This is not therapy — it is a chance for you and your therapist to make sure the program is a good fit. You'll discuss what brought you to seek treatment, share a bit about your challenges, and ask questions about how the program works. At FRTC, we offer a free 15-minute consultation with no pressure or commitment.
First Individual Session
Your first session — sometimes called orientation or pre-treatment — focuses on building a relationship with your therapist and setting the foundation. Your therapist will ask about your history, your goals, and the specific difficulties you're experiencing. Together, you'll discuss how DBT works and what a typical week looks like, including attending both individual therapy and a weekly skills group.
First DBT Skills Group
DBT skills group is structured more like a class than traditional group therapy. A trained leader teaches specific coping skills from four modules: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. You'll practice through discussion and exercises, and receive homework to apply skills during the week. You do not need to share personal details — the focus is on learning skills together.
Diary Cards & Homework
DBT uses diary cards — simple tracking sheets where you record your emotions, urges, and skill use throughout the week. Your therapist reviews them at the start of each session to see how your week went and decide what to focus on. It may feel unfamiliar at first, but most clients find diary cards become a valuable part of their routine within just a few weeks.
Phone Coaching
In comprehensive DBT, your therapist is available for brief phone coaching calls between sessions. This isn't a second therapy session — it's designed to help you apply skills in real time, right when you need them most. This level of support is one of the things that sets comprehensive DBT apart from other forms of therapy.
Common Questions Before Starting
Do I need a specific diagnosis to start DBT?
No. While DBT was originally developed for borderline personality disorder, it has since been shown to help people dealing with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance use, and emotion dysregulation in general. You do not need a BPD diagnosis to benefit from DBT.
How long does DBT treatment last?
A standard course of comprehensive DBT typically runs six months to one year. Skills group cycles through all four modules over roughly 24 weeks, and many clients complete two full cycles. Your therapist will work with you to determine the right timeline.
What if I am already seeing another therapist?
Comprehensive DBT works best when your individual therapist and skills group leader are part of the same treatment team, because DBT therapists meet weekly to coordinate care. If you're interested in our program, we can help you figure out the best path forward during your consultation.
About Our Program
Front Range Treatment Center is a DBT-Linehan Board Certified program serving adults, teens, and children in the Denver metro area. Our team is committed to providing the highest standard of DBT in a warm and supportive environment.
Ready to Get Started?
Schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation to learn more about our DBT program.