Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Ongoing and open to referrals

Meeting remotely via Zoom with Sara Richardson

Meeting in person in Brooklyn with Jordan Dunn

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) integrates Eastern philosophical principles with Western behavioral psychology, in order to help individuals find balance between opposing ideas, such as acceptance and change, emotion and reason, being and doing. In practice, DBT groups focus on skill building and increasing insight. Specifically, each group begins with a mindfulness practice and then delves into other topics such as tolerating distress, regulating emotions, and improving interpersonal communication. Group participants are invited to work on particular areas of their life they would like to improve, develop skills to apply to those areas, and discuss and support each other through the difficulties inherent in change.

Our groups are open, which means we welcome referrals on an on-going basis and will continue to accept new members over the course of the duration of the group. We invite new participants to join at the beginning of a new module which typically starts every four-six weeks and to commit to the group for a full cycle through all modules, approximately six months.

The full fee for each 90-minute group is $150 with a sliding scale fee option, based on financial need. Please contact Greene Clinic, or either of the group facilitators directly, for more information.

Dr. Jordan Dunn: jordandunnphd@gmail.com

Dr. Sara Richardson: saralynnrichardsonphd@gmail.com 

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for Extreme States of Consciousness

Open to referrals, starting December 2024  

Meeting remotely via Zoom with Sara Richardson and Kendra Terry

We welcome those who experience distressing or confusing states of consciousness such as extreme emotions, perceptions, or sensations, thinking in the realm of illusion or delusion, and voice-hearing or specific beliefs that are not typically shared by others. In this group, we offer a safe and supportive environment to talk freely about these and other intense mental states, people’s experiences of what is commonly described as “psychosis”, and the ways in which these experiences have come to impact us in our daily lives. We invite an attitude of acceptance and curiosity about these experiences.

Our group integrates Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) principles to help members develop skills for navigating extreme states and the emotional challenges which often accompany them.

We invite new participants to commit to a full group cycle, approximately four months. The full fee for each 60-minute group is $150 with a sliding scale fee option, based on financial need. Please contact Greene Clinic, or either of the group facilitators directly, for more information.

Dr. Kendra Terry: kendra.terry.phd@gmail.com 

Dr. Sara Richardson: saralynnrichardsonphd@gmail.com

Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy group

Radically-Open DBT, new group starting January/February 2025 with Celeste Pietrusza 

Are you overly cautious, struggle with loneliness, or do you avoid uncertainty and risk? Do you have trouble connecting with others or feel different from other people?

While some people strive to develop more self-control, for those who struggle with perfectionism or rigidity, it’s possible to have too much self-control.

Radically Open Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (RO-DBT) skills class is an evidence-based treatment that follows the principles and structure of traditional DBT, yet is designed for people who struggle with overcontrol, which can appear in the form of restriction, rumination, depression, anxiety, obsessions and/or compulsive symptoms.

Individuals who struggle with overcontrol may experience: social isolation, difficulty responding to change, risk avoidant behaviors and pain in interpersonal relationships. Whereas standard DBT treats out of control or disinhibited emotions, RO-DBT target internalized distress that is often not expressed to others or suppressed entirely.  

RO-DBT skills focus on developing on more flexibility, openness, and social connectedness, while attending to self-compassion for times of fatalism and fixedness. Group sessions begin with interactive mindfulness exercises, involve group discussions, skills lessons and practice, and involve independent work between meetings.  

This round of RO-DBT will run 12-14 weeks. The full fee for each 75-minute group sessions is $125, with some sliding scale spots available based on need. We can also accept Oscar, United, Optum, and Aetna insurances (with the exception of Medicaid managed plans). Group members using out-of-network benefits can receive superbills for reimbursement.

Interested group members can contact Dr. Celeste Pietrusza at celeste.pietrusza@gmail.com for more information.

Adjustment to Motherhood with Dr. Gabriella Cardona-Morales 

Transitioning into the role of motherhood, whether it is the first time or you have more than one child, can produce a host of mixed emotions. Alongside the experience of love/amazement, there is also anxiety, exhaustion, and feeling naturally overwhelmed. At times, motherhood can also bring about difficult feelings related to our upbringing and relationships with caregivers. This therapeutic group offers a safe space to explore and share these thoughts and feelings, often times hidden by mothers. Additionally, the group teaches practical strategies for navigating this complex role, including ways to enhance self-care, improve confidence, and reduce stress.