Women's Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Women's Partial Hospital Program

The Women’s Partial Hospital Program at Butler Hospital is designed to help individuals struggling with emotion regulation. They may feel overwhelmed by intense emotions (e.g., sadness, fear, anger, or guilt/shame) or disconnected from their feelings at other times. These experiences can cause great difficulty when navigating life’s challenges, and some people try coping in ways that make their lives worse in the long run (e.g., using substances, lashing out at others, overeating, or self-injuring). Our program aims to help individuals manage their emotions and live their lives more effectively.

In the program, you will receive treatment informed by dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) in a structured and compassionate environment. Skills training groups will teach selected skills from DBT and individual therapy sessions will help you apply the skills learned to daily life. DBT skills training covers four areas of mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. DBT skills can help people identify and manage emotions, participate fully in the present moment, tolerate difficult situations, and improve interactions with family, friends, and coworkers. Research has shown DBT skills can effectively help with a variety of problems, including suicidal thoughts and behaviors, non-suicidal self-injury, substance misuse, disordered eating, PTSD, chronic depression, and anxiety.

Contact Information:

As of 3/16/2020, the Tuesday DBT Aftercare Group is no longer being offered.

Women's DBT Program
Butler Hospital
345 Blackstone Boulevard
1st Floor Goddard Building
Providence, RI 02906
P: 1 (844) 401-0111


Expert care that combines home and hospital. To learn more and to schedule an appointment call 1 (844) 401-0111, available 24/7.

For Physicians and Clinicians 
Physicians and clinicians, you may fax us a completed Patient Referral Form or a representative at our Call Center will also assist you in starting the admissions process.

Patient Referral Form

Program Highlights

The Women's Partial Hospital Program provides group skills training sessions and individual therapy informed by DBT. Group sessions are helpful in learning new coping skills. Individual sessions with a therapist are an opportunity to talk about how you can apply those skills to your own personal life and situations.

Medication management and aftercare/discharge planning are also provided. Consultations with other professionals may be included to optimize treatment. An onsite laboratory is available for testing as needed.

The program is designed to help you manage:

•    Feeling suicidal much of the time
•    Hurting yourself (self-injury)
•    Remaining depressed despite treatment
•    Experiencing spells of emotional "numbness" 
•    Feeling chronically empty
•    Experiencing fears of being abandoned
•    Trouble tolerating emotions
•    Being unable to stop thinking about a traumatic past
•    Impulsive behavior
•    Having numerous psychiatric hospitalizations
•    Painful, unstable relationships

Learn More About the Program

How long will I attend the program?

The average length of stay in the program is 10 business days, but this will vary based on individual needs. We ask that you make attendance in the program a priority during this time.

What is a typical day like?

The program runs Monday through Friday starting at 9:00 a.m. and ending at 3:00 p.m. A typical day includes four DBT skills groups with breaks in between. Each day begins with a homework review group and ends with a mindfulness group, and the middle two groups cover other DBT skills you will be assigned to practice at home (“homework”). You will also meet one-on-one with your therapist and medication prescriber.

What should I bring with me?
  • Picture identification
  • Insurance card
  • List of current medications
  • Name and contact information for current outpatient providers
  • Lunch (or you may use the cafeteria services)
  • Many people find it helpful to bring a notebook
What happens when I'm ready to leave the program?

Your treatment team will help you develop an outpatient aftercare plan that's right for you.

 

Family Involvement

The involvement of your family and others who play a significant role in your life is sometimes important to the success of your recovery. Family and couples sessions are arranged as needed to assist in supporting you. No contact will be made with your family or others without your consent, except in the case of an emergency.