Beginning in March 2026, I am very happy to provide a Catholic version of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) to my clients living in the Waco area or to students who attend Baylor University, Texas A&M, Mary Hardin-Baylor, or McLennan Community College.
Are you someone who wants to:
• be more in control of their emotions?
• improve their relationships?
• have healthier ways of coping with everyday stress?
• set and achieve important goals?
DBT is an evidence-based therapy designed by University of Washington psychologist Marsha Linehan to help individuals manage their emotions and behaviors more effectively. The ultimate goal of DBT is to create a life worth living and it may help many individuals who are in emotional pain or recovering from addictive behaviors.
You do not need a particular diagnosis in order to benefit from DBT and I believe that everyone could benefit from learning these important life skills.
But starting DBT requires a big commitment. Here are some things you should consider when making your decision about joining our group.
Are you willing to:
• make group attendance a primary commitment for a minimum of six months?
• learn to manage your emotions and relationships more effectively?
• practice new and different coping skills?
• complete homework assignments each week?
What to expect if you join the skills group:
• receive a free copy of The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Wellness Planner and Marsha Linehan's DBT Skills Training Handouts and Worksheets
• learn new coping skills weekly
• explore different ways to think, feel, and respond in difficult situations
• experience a nonjudgmental and encouraging place to practice new coping skills
I have been intensively trained in DBT through Behavioral Tech and I’ve seen how these skills help change lives again and again.
Catholic DBT? Do I need to be Catholic in order to join this group?
No, you do not need to be Catholic to come to this group. This group was created to meet the spiritual needs of several clients who were interested in an integration of their faith with the DBT skills, however, anyone is welcome to join.
Not for you? You can find the secular version of this group here.
What makes this group Catholic?
This group combines the traditional DBT skills with a weekly spiritual reading from the Bible as well as wisdom from individuals like St. Therese of Lisieux, Fr. Jacques Philippe, Jean Pierre de Caussade, Flannery O’Connor, and Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica.
How much does group cost?
This DBT skills group is a self-pay program. The investment is $80 per 90-minute group. While I do not accept insurance, I'm happy to provide a receipt for you to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.
I’m interested. What happens next?
Because I want for you to be successful in treatment, I require an interview and the completion of several assessments to determine eligibility and readiness for DBT skills training. I usually orient new clients to DBT over four individual sessions. These sessions are billed at $185 per hour.
When does the group meet?
Our Wednesday group meets from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm starting March 4, 2026.
All groups meet in person.
Ready to get some relief from your emotional pain? Please contact me today by emailing me at amanda@hopeforbpd.com for additional information.