Evidence-based therapy

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

DBT teaches the skills that make recovery sustainable: how to ride out intense emotions, tolerate distress without using, stay present, and build healthier relationships. It is especially powerful when feelings run high, and at New Wave it is woven together with daily holistic care.

Understanding the approach

What Is DBT?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, grew out of CBT and adds something essential for many people in recovery: a set of concrete skills for handling powerful emotions. The word dialectical points to its central balance, accepting yourself as you are while also working to change. For someone whose substance use is tied to overwhelming feelings, that balance can be life-changing.

DBT is built around four skill areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. With a licensed therapist, you practice these in both individual and group settings until they become tools you can reach for in the hardest moments, instead of reaching for a substance.

The four skills

What DBT Teaches You

Because mindfulness sits at the heart of DBT, it fits naturally with the holistic practices we offer every day, from meditation to sound bowl therapy. The clinical and the holistic reinforce each other.

Evidence-based therapies

Explore Our Clinical Therapies

Each of our evidence-based therapies works together as part of your individualized plan. Explore the others in this approach.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Change the thought patterns that drive substance use.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Build emotional regulation and distress tolerance.

Group Therapy

Heal alongside peers who understand.

Individual Therapy

One-on-one work with your own clinician.

Medication Management

Medical oversight when medication supports recovery.

Family Therapy

Repair and strengthen the relationships that matter.

The New Wave difference

Care that feels different

We were founded by people in long-term recovery, so the way we treat you comes from having been where you are. That shows up in everything we do.

Founded by people in recovery

When you call New Wave, you talk to someone who has walked this path, not a call center. This is personal for us.

The same therapist throughout

You keep your private therapist as you move between levels of care, so your progress is never interrupted and you never start over.

Holistic care, every day

Reiki, yoga, sound healing, and mindfulness are woven into daily treatment alongside evidence-based therapy, not offered once in a while.

Care from people who understand

Meet the People Behind Your Recovery

Our licensed clinicians and team, many in long-term recovery themselves, are who you will work with at New Wave.

Angela Faccone

Co-Founder & Program Director

Charles Draleau

Executive Director

Melanie Draleau

Co-Founder & Reiki Practitioner

Ryan SmithBratton

Co-Founder & Director of Community Outreach

Danielle Visone

Mental Health Counselor & Clinical Director

In their own words

Recovery That People Remember

Insurance & payment: Contact our team and we will work with you to verify insurance benefits.
Fill out our form and contact us for additional assistance

Questions, answered

DBT FAQs

Want to talk to a real person? Call us, someone in recovery will answer.

What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?

DBT is an evidence-based therapy that teaches skills for managing intense emotions, tolerating distress, staying present, and improving relationships, all of which support lasting recovery.

How is DBT different from CBT?

CBT focuses mainly on changing thought patterns. DBT builds on CBT by adding skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and relationships, especially helpful when emotions feel overwhelming.

Who benefits most from DBT?

DBT is especially helpful for people who experience intense emotions, struggle with impulsivity, or have co-occurring mental health concerns alongside addiction.

What skills does DBT teach?

The four core DBT skills are mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness, practical tools for handling hard moments without turning to substances.