Ryther’s Dialectical Behavior Therapy Intensive Outpatient (DBT IOP) program is a 12-week program designed for youth ages 13-18 with acute mental health needs. The program provides a combination of group and individual therapy sessions aimed at reducing symptoms of depression, self-harm, and emotion dysregulation while building prosocial skills and distress tolerance. All services take place at Ryther in North Seattle. An intake session is required before participation.

 

 

Who We Serve

The DBT IOP program is ideal for adolescents of all genders struggling with:

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• Depression

• Self-harm

• Suicidal ideation

• Impulsivity

• Inconsistent relationships

• Difficulty regulating emotions

• Chronic interpersonal deficits

• Low self-worth

• This program is also suitable for those who have been unsuccessful in outpatient therapy alone or are stepping down from inpatient or residential treatment.

 

 

Program Features

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• Duration: 12 weeks

• Schedule: Group therapy sessions every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday

• Individual Sessions: Weekly individual DBT therapy sessions, scheduled on Tuesdays or Fridays

• Skills Groups: Focused on mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness

• Art and Experiential Activities: Incorporates creative and hands-on group activities using Ryther’s indoor and outdoor spaces

• Psychiatry: Available on an as-needed basis

 

 

Program Schedule

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• Group Therapy: Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays (4:00 PM – 7:00 PM)

• Individual Sessions: Tuesdays or Fridays (50 minutes per session)

 

 

Program Goals

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• Symptom Reduction: To decrease symptoms of depression, self-harm, and emotion dysregulation

• Skill Development: To increase mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness

• Improved Relationships: To enhance interpersonal connections and reduce chronic interpersonal deficits

• Building Resilience: To foster emotional resilience and prosocial behaviors

 

 

Therapeutic Approach

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DBT Skills Groups: These three-hour sessions engage participants in learning and practicing skills related to mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Skills are taught through discussion, activities, and hands-on exercises. Participants practice interpersonal skills under the supervision of a trained therapist.

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Individual Therapy Sessions: Weekly sessions help participants generalize the skills they learn in group therapy. Participants report progress using diary cards and work closely with their Ryther therapist to troubleshoot challenges and refine their skills.

 

 

Insurance Accepted

 

• First Choice, Premera, Regence, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Kaiser Permanente, LifeWise, Optum United Behavioral Health, United Healthcare Community Plan of Washington, Medicaid MCOs: Molina, United Health Care, Wellpoint, Community Health Plan of Washington, and Coordinated Care.

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More About Our Program:

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• We are grounded in the ARC model (Attachment, Regulation, Competency). The ARC Model is a trauma-centered lens that informs how we approach our clients and families and how we communicate with our team and our external colleagues. 

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• Culturally responsive: Our team centers our clients and their parents and caregivers. We are especially aware that some of the families we serve come from communities that have traditionally been marginalized and even harmed by the mental health system. We are mission-driven to be responsive to each person’s identity and experience and to deliver treatment that fits their needs.

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• Continuum of care: With IOP and PHP options and ongoing therapy, parent/caregiver coaching, and group opportunities at Ryther, we provide appropriate levels of intervention support to fit clients’ needs as they progress through their treatment process. We coordinate closely with existing providers and support systems to offer the ongoing aftercare support our clients deserve.