Understand integrated outpatient care
Outpatient care offers a flexible approach to managing mental health conditions and co-occurring disorders, allowing you to maintain daily routines while engaging in structured treatment. In an outpatient therapy program with DBT skills training, you receive evidence-based interventions alongside supports for addiction, trauma, or mood disorders. Integrated outpatient care brings together mental health therapy, skills training, and medical oversight in one coordinated plan, so you can address multiple needs without inpatient stays.
What is integrated outpatient care?
Integrated outpatient care combines psychotherapy, skills groups, medication management, and case coordination under a single program. Instead of navigating separate providers, you work with a unified team that tailors treatment to your unique profile—whether you struggle with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or substance use. Integration helps reduce gaps in care, minimize relapse risk, and reinforce skills across settings.
Who can benefit?
You may be a candidate for this approach if you:
- Have moderate to severe symptoms but can manage daily responsibilities
- Need support for co-occurring mental health and substance use challenges
- Prefer to live at home, attend school, or work while in treatment
- Seek specialized skills training, such as dialectical behavior therapy or cognitive behavioral techniques
Many programs also accept insurance plans like Anthem, Cigna, BCBS, UHC, and Aetna to support access to care. For details on coverage, explore our dual diagnosis program that accepts aetna or check options for mental health therapy that accepts cigna insurance.
Explore DBT skills training
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) focuses on teaching practical skills to manage intense emotions, tolerate distress, and improve relationships. When you join an outpatient therapy program with DBT skills training, you engage in a structured curriculum delivered through group classes, individual coaching, and phone support.
Overview of DBT
Originally developed to treat borderline personality disorder, DBT has proven effective for a range of conditions—including self-harm behaviors, chronic suicidal ideation, substance use, and eating disorders [1]. The program typically spans six months to a year, with stages that build on one another to support lasting change.
Core DBT modules
DBT teaches skills across four main categories, often delivered in weekly group sessions [2]:
- Mindfulness
- Cultivate present-moment awareness
- Observe thoughts without judgment
- Distress tolerance
- Learn crisis survival strategies
- Practice self-soothing techniques
- Emotion regulation
- Identify and label emotions
- Develop healthy coping plans
- Interpersonal effectiveness
- Enhance communication skills
- Assert needs while maintaining respect
Delivery formats
Most outpatient DBT programs include:
- DBT pre-assessment – Establish goals, review history, and plan individual vs group involvement
- Group skills training – Learn and practice modules in a supportive peer environment
- Individual therapy – Address personalized challenges and reinforce skill application
- Telephone coaching – Access real-time support between sessions for crisis moments
This blended format ensures you can apply DBT strategies in everyday life and receive timely guidance when you need it most.
Compare DBT and CBT
While DBT is a specialized offshoot of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), each approach has distinct features. Understanding their differences helps you choose the most appropriate outpatient path.
| Feature | CBT | DBT |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Changing negative thought patterns | Balancing acceptance and change |
| Techniques | Cognitive restructuring, exposure therapy | Mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness |
| Best for | Depression, anxiety, OCD, phobias | Borderline personality disorder, self-harm, emotional dysregulation |
| Delivery | Individual or group sessions | Structured group modules plus individual coaching and phone support |
| Underlying philosophy | Logic and reason | Acceptance of reality, dialectical synthesis |
Source: Adapted from Skyland Trail
When to choose which
- Opt for CBT when you primarily struggle with cognitive distortions, panic, or phobias. Many programs offer outpatient therapy with cognitive behavioral therapy.
- Lean toward DBT if you experience intense emotional swings, self-harm urges, or relational conflicts that require both acceptance and change strategies.
You may also find benefit in combination treatment: studies show that pairing CBT with medication yields faster response and robust relapse prevention [3].
Address co-occurring disorders
Integrated outpatient care particularly shines when you face dual diagnosis—simultaneous mental health and substance use challenges. A cohesive approach ensures you’re not juggling separate therapies for each condition.
Coordinated dual diagnosis support
Outpatient dual diagnosis therapy programs blend addiction counseling with mental health interventions. You might attend DBT groups focused on emotion regulation while meeting a case manager to adjust medication for depression or bipolar disorder. This synergy reduces conflicting treatment plans and fosters holistic healing.
Consider exploring our outpatient counseling for dual diagnosis clients if you need targeted support for substance use and mood disorders. For specialized trauma and addiction care, see our outpatient program for trauma and addiction.
Insurance considerations
Many facilities partner with major insurers to ease your financial planning. Examples include:
- Outpatient counseling that accepts bcbs insurance
- Bipolar disorder treatment program that takes uhc
- PTSD outpatient program that accepts anthem insurance
Always verify your plan’s coverage for therapy sessions, group classes, medication management, and any ancillary services.
Assess program benefits
Participating in an outpatient DBT-infused program yields multiple advantages, empowering you to build a stable, skillful life.
Enhanced emotional regulation
By mastering DBT strategies, you learn to:
- Recognize and name emotions before they escalate
- Apply distress tolerance exercises during crises
- Reduce impulsive behaviors linked to self-harm or substance use
Strengthened coping skills
DBT’s practical modules equip you with tools to:
- Navigate interpersonal conflicts
- Cope with triggers without reverting to old patterns
- Maintain consistent progress through phone coaching
Improved long-term outcomes
Research highlights that structured psychotherapy, including DBT, rivals medication in treating moderate to severe depression and often yields superior relapse prevention [3]. Combining DBT with other therapies or pharmacotherapy can accelerate recovery and reduce overall costs by minimizing hospitalizations.
Choose the right program
Selecting a program that fits your goals and lifestyle is critical. Consider the following factors to ensure you find the support you need.
What to look for
- Qualified DBT providers – Certified therapists and coaches with DBT training
- Comprehensive services – Access to group skills, individual therapy, medication support, and case management
- Flexible schedules – Evening or weekend groups for school, work, or family commitments
- Family involvement options – Workshops or therapy sessions that engage loved ones in your recovery
Insurance and access
Confirm that the outpatient center accepts your plan. You may find tailored options like:
- Outpatient therapy for women with trauma
- Outpatient therapy for veterans with ptsd
- Outpatient depression treatment that takes anthem
Questions to ask
- How long does the DBT track last, and what are the group sizes?
- What is the ratio of individual to group sessions?
- Is telephone coaching available 24/7 or scheduled hours?
- How do providers coordinate care if I need medication adjustments?
Engage with admissions teams, request an initial consultation, and tour the facility if possible. This due diligence helps ensure your program aligns with your recovery plan and personal preferences.
Embarking on an outpatient therapy program with DBT skills training can transform the way you manage emotions, cope with stress, and build meaningful relationships. By integrating mental health care with addiction support, and leveraging evidence-based practices, you position yourself for lasting growth. Reach out today to explore programs, verify your insurance coverage, and take the next step toward stability and hope.
