DBT Therapy New York
Dialectical Behavior
Therapy (DBT) in New York
Support that helps you manage overwhelming emotions and build healthier patterns — online across NY or in-person in Clinton, NY.
About the work
Therapy That Helps
You Feel More
in Control
At Valerie Lighthall LCSW Counseling Services, DBT therapy is focused on helping you better manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and feel more grounded in your daily life. With over 15 years of experience, Valerie works with teens and adults who feel overwhelmed by stress, emotional ups and downs, impulsive behaviors, or relationship struggles and want support that feels practical, honest, and supportive.
The goal is not to change who you are. It is to help you develop tools that make life feel more manageable and relationships feel less overwhelming.
Get StartedRecognizing the signs
When Emotions
Start Taking Over
You may feel like your emotions go from zero to one hundred quickly, or like you are constantly trying to keep everything together while feeling overwhelmed underneath. You may notice:
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Feeling emotionally reactive or overwhelmed by stress
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Difficulty sleeping, relaxing, or feeling present
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Feeling emotionally drained, unmotivated, or disconnected
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Impulsive behaviors, shutdowns, or feeling stuck in unhealthy patterns
You do not need to wait until things completely fall apart before getting support. Therapy can help you better understand your emotions while building skills that create more stability and confidence in everyday life.
Learn MoreYou don't have to wait for things to fall apart to ask for help.
Valerie Lighthall, LCSWThe approach
A Practical,
Supportive Approach
to Change
DBT combines emotional support with practical tools that help you navigate stress, relationships, and difficult emotions more effectively. Valerie approaches DBT in a way that feels collaborative and realistic, not rigid or clinical.
Sessions won't dance around what needs to be said. Expect honest, direct feedback, even when it's hard to hear, because that's often where real movement starts.
You'll leave sessions with concrete skills for regulating emotion and managing stress, not just insight. These are tools built to use in the moment, not just talk about.
You won't get a rehearsed script. Valerie brings genuine presence and reacts honestly in sessions — the same way she'd want support to feel if she were in your seat.
You do not need all the answers.
You just need a place to start.
Logistics
Flexible Support,
Without the Extra Hassle
Starting therapy should not feel complicated. From online scheduling to a simple client portal, everything is designed to be straightforward so you can focus on your well-being. If you have been thinking about starting therapy, this is your opportunity to take that next step in a way that feels manageable and supported.
- Available virtually across all of New York State
- Daytime appointments available
- Simple, secure video platform — no downloads required
- Consistent weekly scheduling so it becomes part of your routine
- In-person sessions held in Clinton, NY
- Daytime availability — adding to your schedule, not disrupting it
- A warm, private office space designed for comfort
- Easy to add to your schedule without adding stress to your day
- Glens Falls, NY — $175/session
- Virtual, NY — $165/session
- Sliding scale available — reach out to discuss
- Payment due at time of session — credit card, HSA/FSA accepted
Choosing not to work with insurance companies is a deliberate decision — one that protects you as much as it protects the quality of our work together.
- You don't have to receive a mental health diagnosis to begin therapy.
- Session notes stay between us — they won't be shared with your insurance company.
- No outside party gets to decide how often we meet, how long we work together, or whether your reasons for coming are valid enough.
- A smaller caseload means more attention, more flexibility, and more personalized care — not a number in a system.
- Insurance reimbursement rates for private practice therapists are low and don't reflect experience or training — private pay keeps this work sustainable and focused on you.
If emotions have been feeling overwhelming or difficult to manage, DBT therapy can help you build healthier coping skills, stronger relationships, and a greater sense of balance in your daily life.
Learn MoreThe first step
Getting Started Is Simple
Reach Out
Fill out the contact form or send a message — no pressure, just a starting point.
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Quick Consultation
A short call to talk about what's going on and see if it feels like a good fit.
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Begin Sessions
Schedule your first appointment — virtual or in-person in Clinton, NY.
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Common questions
Getting Started
Is Simple
Send a message describing what brings you in. Valerie will follow up to schedule a free consultation call.
This is a private pay practice. A receipt can be provided for you to submit to your insurance for possible out-of-network reimbursement, depending on your plan.
Both. Virtual sessions are available anywhere in New York State, and in-person sessions are held in Clinton, NY.
Teens and adults who feel overwhelmed by stress, emotional ups and downs, impulsive behaviors, or relationship struggles.