DBT Based Approach
Christian DBT In-Person Group
Begins October 5 | Mondays 6–7:30 PM | Richmond, VA
Mindfulness • Emotion Regulation • Distress Tolerance • Interpersonal Effectiveness
$250 per 4-week module • Workbook included
We’re excited to announce that our Christian DBT in-person group will begin Monday, October 5 at our Richmond location, meeting weekly from 6:00–7:30 PM.
The group will be led by Megan Thomas.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, was originally developed by psychologist Dr. Marsha Linehan. Over the years, a group of us at Fig Tree Therapy worked together to thoughtfully integrate a Christian worldview into the DBT curriculum, incorporating biblical principles and faith-based materials alongside these practical, evidence-based skills.
The group is taught in four modules:
- Mindfulness
- Emotion Regulation
- Distress Tolerance
- Interpersonal Effectiveness
Each module is four weeks long, and the cost is $250 per module, which includes your workbook.
Who Is This Group For?
This group is open to any adult who wants to build healthier emotional and relational skills. It can be especially helpful for people who have difficulty regulating intense emotions or who tend to make impulsive decisions when emotions are heightened.
DBT teaches practical ways to slow down, become more aware of what is happening internally, tolerate difficult emotions, respond intentionally, and communicate more effectively.
One of our primary goals is to help participants understand their emotions and develop a healthier relationship with them—so that emotions can inform and enrich our lives rather than control or derail them.
Why In Person?
Through the years, we have found the in-person group experience to be especially powerful. DBT is not simply information to learn; it is a set of skills to practice.
This is a hands-on, participatory group, and members benefit not only from the curriculum but also from practicing together, hearing the experiences of others, encouraging one another, and realizing they are not alone.
We have watched DBT make a significant positive impact in the lives of many people. When these valuable behavioral skills are paired with a Christian understanding of our minds, emotions, relationships, and faith, we believe meaningful growth and transformation can occur.
Group Details
Begins: Monday, October 5
Time: 6:00–7:30 PM
Location: Fig Tree Therapy — Richmond
Facilitator: Megan Thomas
Cost: $250 per four-week module, including workbook
Interested in joining us?
Email us at info@figtreetherapy.com or call us at 804-239-7688.
We would love to have you join us.
Christian DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)
A structured, skills-based approach that integrates practical emotional tools with biblical truth.
What is Christian DBT?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a practical approach designed to help people manage emotions, navigate distress, and improve relationships.
At Fig Tree Therapy, we offer a Christian form of DBT.
This is not traditional DBT with a few spiritual references added in. It is a thoughtful integration of evidence-based skills with a Christian understanding of truth, growth, and healing.
We believe people are best cared for when treatment reflects both sound clinical practice and a clear biblical worldview.
Why Christian DBT
DBT offers valuable tools. At the same time, every model carries assumptions about truth, identity, and change.
We do not set those aside.
Christian DBT allows us to:
- use what is clinically effective
- while remaining grounded in what we believe is true
For example, traditional DBT emphasizes “Wise Mind”—the balance of emotion and reason. While that is helpful, we believe wisdom is not ultimately internal. True wisdom comes from God.
Our goal is not to reject DBT. It is to use it responsibly and faithfully.
The Core Skills
Christian DBT teaches practical skills across four key areas:
Mindfulness
Learning to slow down, pay attention, and become more aware of thoughts, emotions, and responses.
Distress Tolerance
Developing the ability to endure difficult emotions without reacting in ways that make the situation worse.
Emotion Regulation
Understanding emotional patterns and learning how to respond with greater stability.
Interpersonal Effectiveness
Strengthening communication, boundaries, and relational clarity.
These are not just concepts. They are skills that can be practiced and applied in everyday life.
Faith Is Central
For many people, faith is not a side issue. It is central to how they understand themselves, suffering, responsibility, and change.
Christian DBT creates space for that.
We incorporate:
- biblical reflection
- Christian understanding of truth and identity
- principles of wisdom, self-control, and grace
We do this carefully. Faith is not used to bypass emotional work. It is used to deepen it.
Who This Is For
Christian DBT may be a strong fit if you:
- feel overwhelmed by your emotions
- struggle with reactivity or impulsive patterns
- find it difficult to apply insight in real life
- want practical tools, not just conversation
- are looking for care that aligns with your Christian beliefs
Because DBT is skills-based, you leave with tools you can actually use.
A Structured, Group-Based Approach
DBT is most effective when it is practiced consistently.
At Fig Tree Therapy, Christian DBT is typically offered in a group format, allowing participants to:
- learn skills in a structured way
- practice them over time
- receive support and accountability
We also believe community matters. Growth is often strengthened when it happens alongside others.
What Changes Over Time
This work is practical and consistent.
Over time, people often experience:
- greater emotional stability
- reduced reactivity
- clearer thinking
- stronger relationships
- increased sense of responsibility and agency
This is not immediate. It is built through repetition and application.
Take the Next Step
If you are looking for a structured approach to managing emotions and relationships—one that is both clinically grounded and biblically faithful—Christian DBT may be a good fit.
We would be honored to work with you.