DBT Therapists in Washington DC

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a structured, skills-based approach designed to help individuals navigate intense emotions, strengthen relationships, and develop effective coping strategies. Originally created for those with borderline personality disorder, DBT is now widely used to support people facing mood disorders, self-harm, and other emotional challenges. With 6 DBT-trained therapists in Washington DC, you can access specialized care focused on mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. Each Grow Therapy-verified therapist listed below is welcoming new clients, with timely availability to help you build emotional resilience and lead a more balanced life.

Vanessa Okechukwu

(she/her)

Vanessa Okechukwu, LICSW - District of Columbia Therapist at Grow Therapy
$200/session
LICSW
15 years of experience
Virtual
Hello, I earned my master’s in social work from University of Maryland, School of Social Work, Baltimore, MD in 2010. I have Licensed Certified Social Worker - Clinical (LCSW-C) in MD, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in DC and Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) in VA. For more than 10 years, I have utilized Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), humanistic, person-center, strength-focused therapy and other psychotherapy Intervention to assess, plan, implement and evaluate individual or family in diverse therapy environment. I am commented to assist people to live life to their fullest potential because we all have one life to live, and we deserve to be in peace with ourselves.
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Pablo Rodriguez

(he/him)

Pablo Rodriguez, LICSW - District of Columbia Therapist at Grow Therapy
$150/session
LICSW
8 years of experience
Virtual
Welcome! I'm a DBT Therapist and treat teens/adults struggling to regulate intense emotions; abandonment; self-harm; suicidality; intense relationships; and impulsivity. I use a mindful, curious, and a feedback-informed approach to support outcomes and your goals. Mindful humor is also used and can be so helpful for balancing emotional intensity. As a certified trauma therapist, I also support teens/adults overcome trauma symptoms. We are social beings and mental health is a social process. I invite you to reach out to the process of therapy to help improve the relationship between yourself, things, and others.
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Brenda Ferguson

Brenda Ferguson, LPC - District of Columbia Therapist at Grow Therapy
$125/session
LPC
8 years of experience
Virtual
Hi there! I'm a Licensed counselor for CO, NC, and DC. I received my Master's Degree in 2007 and have spent a good bit of my career in crisis and residential settings before transitioning to direct care. I help adults who have experienced adverse events and or trauma to heal and begin to live their lives in a more peaceful way.
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Willard Vaughn

Willard Vaughn, LPC - District of Columbia Therapist at Grow Therapy
$100/session
LPC
17 years of experience
Virtual
My name is Willard and I am a licensed counselor in several states. My practice primarily focuses on helping others deal with ambiguity. Often our thoughts and subsequently what we teach ourselves becomes rigid and fairly black and white. Using a pragmatic and authentic approach to therapy I help others to be okay with things that are beyond their control and work with them to establish themselves as the protagonist in their own story. This is primarily accomplished through conversation and allowing you the client to guide the therapy in the direction it needs to go.
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Janet Muta

Janet Muta, LICSW - District of Columbia Therapist at Grow Therapy
$115/session
LICSW
15 years of experience
Virtual
My name is Janet Muta and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). I have over 15 years of experience in mental health, behavioral issues and relationships. I treat individuals from diverse backgrounds. My approach is treating the whole person because most of the time our problems are the outcome of more than just one thing and when I get to know you I am able to address different issues that could be contributing to that one specific problem. We all experience some difficulties in our lives sometimes and we all cope differently. What works for one person/couple who are experiencing a similar situation may not work for another and so I personalize your treatment to fit you. Being in therapy is like being on a journey, I make sure you are in the driver’s seat and I become your great working GPS, guiding you to your desired destination. I also hold a degree in finance which sometimes comes handy when helping those who are stressed due to financial needs. Among the treatment modalities I use are: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) - Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness, Positive Parenting, Contingency Management...
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Arega Gera

(he/him)

Arega Gera, LICSW - District of Columbia Therapist at Grow Therapy
$100/session
LICSW
20 years of experience
Virtual
My name is Arega Gera. I always work to strive to create a safe and welcoming environment that allows clients to explore obstacles with concerns related to anxiety, depression, and/or . I focus on helping clients develop assertive communication & boundaries with themselves and those around them that can help improve their quality of life. Counseling can foster personal development in whatever way you may be seeking and help build the life you so deeply deserve. If that's what you're looking for, I'm here when you're ready to share.
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Explore more District of Columbia Therapists by:

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Oscar
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UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance

Frequently asked questions

Why filter by District of Columbia rather than a neighborhood like Adams Morgan?

When looking for online therapy, you can see anyone that is credentialed in the state. We want you to find the best fit, therefore, Grow Therapy shows available therapists across District of Columbia from The Navy Yard to Georgetown! If you’d rather see someone in-person, you can change the filter from virtual and find a therapist near you in District of Columbia.

Will my therapist take insurance?

When booking you’ll be asked to verify with your Member ID. However, if you don’t have any of the insurances available you can select cash. Our therapists will have their cost of appointment on their profile. Individual session costs will vary.

How does the Specialty Filter work? Can I find a therapist that focuses on a specific issue?

The specialty filter is optional. You don’t need to check any boxes to see a provider. However, fit is very important when selecting an online therapist. If you have knowledge or experience to recognize what specialties you may need.

What are the "Clients say I'm" badges?

Grow Therapy asks patients about their experience with therapists after they have had a certain number of sessions. After enough responses, we add those characteristics to their profiles to help you find the best online therapists for you. We're still working on collecting this information from all our therapists.

Why use Gender, Age, and Identities filters?

Finding a provider with a similar life experience can be beneficial because it can be easier to establish rapport and potentially be understood quicker and clearer.

What to expect during your first session?

Your first therapy session is for you and your therapist to meet each other and to ask any questions that you have about the counseling process. This is where you can expect your therapist to do the same as they will ask questions to gain insight into your specific situation. In this first session the therapist is doing their part to gather as much information so they can better assess if they are able to meet your therapeutic needs.

Depending upon your provider's specialty, you may also discuss the methods the therapist will use. For additional information on therapy methods, please visit the Grow Therapy Help Center. Some people feel nervous before their first appointment, and that is totally normal! Coming prepared with a list of questions for your therapist may help. Remember, you're taking a brave step by seeking therapy, and it is okay to be nervous as you try something new.