Let us help you navigate your emotional well being and give you the skills to live your best life.

A dandelion being blown in the wind during sunset.

dbt with friends

Creating conscious community

We are a peer-to-peer support system dedicated to making Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills accessible to everyone.

Born from a desire to share life-changing tools, we believe that healthy coping skills and a strong community are essential for well-being.

In 2014, founder Megan Burke completed a traditional DBT program, after which she hoped to teach her friends and family about DBT. Flash forward, in 2021, our other two founders, Melanie Bentley and Nathan Gallenson, completed their own DBT programs, inspired by Megan's experience. Understanding the profound impact of DBT on their lives, they realized a universal truth among graduates: "Oh my God, everybody needs this."

Driven by the high cost and inaccessibility of traditional DBT programs, and the clear need for ongoing support, Megan, Melanie, and Nathan had the idea to create a group where friends could learn and reinforce these invaluable skills. What started as "adulting nights" among friends evolved into a mission to build supportive communities, recognizing that societal well-being improves as individuals heal and grow together.

Our mission

To empower individuals and communities by providing accessible, skills-based learning in Dialectical Behavior Therapy.

We aim to:

Democratize mental health

Offer a solution for those who cannot afford traditional therapy or are waiting to access programs, ensuring that life-changing skills are available without a significant financial barrier.

Foster community

Create a supportive environment where individuals can work on themselves with like-minded peers, fostering a community that offers support inside and outside of group meetings.

Promote healthy coping

Equip people with the foundational coping skills they may not have learned as children, helping them navigate life's challenges healthily.

Spread well-being

Inspire the creation of new DBT with Friends groups in communities everywhere, creating a ripple effect of healing and growth.

What we do

Peer-to-peer learning

We teach the core skills of DBT—Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, and Interpersonal Effectiveness—in a supportive, group setting. We also aim to incorporate other modalities as we grow and learn.

1:1 DBT skills coaching

We provide 1:1 support with trained DBT coaches who can help members learn how to apply skills in their personal lives.

Community building

We emphasize the "with friends" element, encouraging deep connections and mutual support that extends beyond group sessions.

Resources for group leaders

Our goal is to provide materials and administrative support to help individuals start and lead their own DBT with Friends groups in their local communities.

Creating smarter solutions

We are developing technology solutions to improve individual and community mental health to make the difficult journey of healing more fun, easy, and engaging.

Referrals

We also offer resources to help individuals find traditional DBT programs or therapists if needed.

Why it matters

Our society often lacks robust community support, expecting individuals to seek emotional help from paid professionals rather than their immediate circles. We believe that by teaching people how to be supportive, empathetic, and effective in their interactions, we can help build healthier, more resilient communities. As the Buddhist saying goes, "You are your environment," and by surrounding ourselves with people committed to growth and compassion, we all benefit.

We are not therapists; we are peers who have experienced the transformative power of DBT and are passionate about sharing it. Join us in creating a world where everyone has the tools to cope, connect, and thrive.

Don't take our word for it

We believe that our community's experiences speak volumes about the quality of our support groups and coaching. Here's what some of them have to say:

"DBT w Friends provided me with much needed moral support, comfort and encouragement when my teenage daughter was first diagnosed with BPD. The skills learned are still instrumental in navigating tough experiences with her."

— Lisa S.