DBT Therapy · New York
DBT Therapy in NYC
Practical, mindfulness-rooted DBT in Midtown Manhattan and online across New York - real skills for the moments that feel too big.
The basics
What Is DBT Therapy?
DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) is a practical, skills-based therapy with roots in Buddhist mindfulness practice. It was originally developed for borderline personality disorder, but its tools help almost anyone whose emotions sometimes feel bigger than the moment - and for many of my Asian American clients, its mindfulness foundations feel familiar rather than foreign.
What it helps with
What DBT Therapy Helps With
- Emotions that swing hard and take a long time to settle
- Anxiety that spikes before situations you can see coming
- Conflict and communication patterns that strain your relationships
- Feeling hijacked by stress instead of carried through it
- Building steadiness before or alongside deeper trauma work
The experience
What DBT Looks Like With Me
I weave DBT skills into our individual work rather than running a rigid program. My particular focus is distress tolerance and what DBT calls coping ahead: building a concrete, step-by-step plan for a situation you know will be hard, before you're in it - so your calmest self gets a say in how it goes.
The skills
The Core Pillars of DBT
DBT gives you a toolkit, not a lecture. We practice the skills together until they're yours, with emotion regulation woven through all of it.
Distress tolerance
Riding out the biggest waves without doing something that makes the moment worse. The skill I lean on most in our work together.
Mindfulness
The core coping skill underneath everything else: noticing what's happening inside and around you, and staying present with it.
Interpersonal effectiveness
Asking for what you need, holding boundaries, and communicating in ways that bring you closer instead of further apart.
Working together
DBT and EMDR: A Natural Pair
In my practice, DBT often works hand in hand with EMDR therapy. DBT builds the coping skills you need to handle the distress that can surface during trauma-focused work, so EMDR can go where it needs to go while you stay grounded. Many clients use both, at their own pace.
About Samantha
Meet Samantha, a DBT Therapist in NYC
I'm Samantha, an Asian American therapist in NYC. I bring a warm, culturally-attuned approach to DBT, pairing practical skills with real curiosity about your story and your strengths. Nothing here is one-size-fits-all.
I see clients in person in Midtown Manhattan and virtually across New York, and I welcome people of all backgrounds and identities.
Sessions & fees
DBT Therapy in Midtown Manhattan or Online Across NY
- Office at 286 5th Ave (NoMad), Midtown Manhattan - in-person Mon-Tue
- Virtual sessions the rest of the week, for anyone in New York
- Individual $225 · Free 15-min phone consult
- Out-of-network; I provide superbills for possible reimbursement
Questions
DBT Therapy: Common Questions
Is DBT only for borderline personality disorder?
No. DBT was originally developed for BPD, and it remains excellent for that - but its skills help anyone dealing with intense emotions, anxiety, relationship friction, or overwhelm. You don't need any particular diagnosis to benefit.
Do I need to join a group or a full DBT program?
Not with me. I weave DBT skills directly into individual therapy, tailored to what you're working through - no group requirement, no rigid curriculum.
What is "coping ahead"?
It's one of my favorite DBT skills: we identify a situation you know will be anxiety-provoking - a family dinner, a review at work, a hard conversation - and build a concrete plan for it in advance. You walk in with a strategy your calmest self designed.
Can I combine DBT with EMDR?
Yes, and many of my clients do. DBT builds the grounding and coping skills that make deeper trauma work with EMDR feel safe and tolerable. The two approaches strengthen each other.
Does DBT work over video?
Yes. DBT skills work translates well to virtual sessions, and I see clients throughout New York online.
Do you take insurance?
I'm out-of-network, which keeps your care private and fully tailored to you. I provide superbills you can submit for possible reimbursement.
Reaching Out Is the Hardest Step
The most difficult step in the healing process is often the very first one. Book a free 15-minute consult and let's see if we're a fit.