Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a treatment developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan for individuals who struggle with severe emotion dyregulation diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. In the late 1980s, Dr. Linehan recognized that the standard behavior treatment available was not effective in treating chronically suicidal individuals. Using her personal and clinical experience, Dr. Linehan developed a unique therapeutic approach that allows you to achieve your goals by learning how to accept and change both feelings and thoughts.  

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DBT is appropriate for a range of additional problems related to emotion dysregulation, including:  

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• Substance use problems

• Eating disordered behavior

• Anger-related problems

• Impulsiveness

• Intense emotional mood swings

• Interpersonal chaos 

• Confusion about the self (identity)

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Comprehensive DBT involves four components: ​

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1. Individual psychotherapy 

2. DBT skills group training

3. In-the-moment phone coaching

4. DBT consultation team (for therapists) 

 

Services offered:

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As a DBT-trained clinician, I  am currently providing all four components. I pull flexibly from DBT principles in order to target problem behaviors and help you build a life worth-living. I  can provide this therapy to a select few individuals. If you are interested in working within a comprehensive model of DBT, please reach out for availability.

 

I am currently offering DBT skills training in a group format for adults. The adult DBT Skills Group is currently virtual and takes about 6 months to complete. The fee for the adult DBT skills group is $100/week. Payment for the month is due at the start of the month. 1:1 skills training or make up appointments are available on an as-needed-basis.

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DBT skills training may be strongly recommended to you at the intake appointment. If you are currently in DBT skills training and are looking for an individual DBT clinician, please contact me to discuss further. Phone coaching is reserved for patients in both individual and group therapy with Dr. Portillo. 
 

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Upcoming Adult DBT Skills Group Entry Dates for 2025

 

Thursday's Young Adult Group 12:00PM-1:30PM ​

• August 7th & August 14th

• October 2nd & October 9th

• December 11th &18th 

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Wednesday's Group 5:30PM-7:00PM

• ​August 6th & August 13th 

• October 8th & October 15th 

• December 10th &17th

 

For future dates, please contact Dr. Portillo via

e-mail (admin@drcecilyportillo.com)

or phone (631-319-0942)

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For group only patients: Please ensure to reach out 1-2 weeks prior to the entry dates to ensure that an intake appointment can occur prior to joining skills group.  Group entry can be expedited if necessary and requires meeting with provider for 1:1 orientation. Please reach out if you missed the entry date and need to join ASAP. 

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