You've come to the right place.



You live on an emotional roller coaster. You can't keep friends or a job. Hurting yourself feels better than hurting others. You question whether your life is worth living. Perhaps you diagnosed yourself on the internet or your doctor told you that you need something called "DBT."

DBT is what we live and breathe.

DBT Institute Oklahoma City welcomes diversity of identity and perspectives. We do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or social status. 

What is DBT?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy combines the best of scientific psychology in the West with the beauty and wisdom of the East. DBT is a cognitive behavioral treatment that was originally developed to treat chronically suicidal individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and it is now recognized as the gold standard psychological treatment for this population. In addition, research has shown that it is effective in treating a wide range of other disorders such as substance dependence, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and eating disorders.

Research has shown DBT to be effective in reducing suicidal behavior, non-suicidal self-injury, psychiatric hospitalization, treatment dropout, substance use, anger, and depression.

​DBT includes four sets of behavioral skills:
Mindfulness: the practice of being fully aware and present in this one moment
Distress Tolerance: how to tolerate pain in difficult situations, not change it
Interpersonal Effectiveness: how to ask for what you want and say no while maintaining self-respect and relationships with others
Emotion Regulation: how to change emotions that you want to change

Source: http://behavioraltech.org/resources/whatisdbt.cfm

Our Team of DBT Fellows

A fellow is a member of a group (or fellowship) that works together in pursuing mutual knowledge or practice.

Amanda Shrader LCSW

DBT Fellow | amanda@dbtokc.com

Amanda's therapy super-power is being real and down to earth. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker from a small town in Oklahoma. She holds a Masters in Social Work from the University of Oklahoma, along with a Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Oklahoma State University. During her education she had the privilege to work with veterans at the Veterans Administration Medical Center, intern at the University of Oklahoma Heath Sciences Center, as well as participate in research studies focusing on geriatric memory care.

Working in the mental health and social services field for over ten years now, Amanda has had the pleasure of gaining valuable experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings, working with individuals, groups and families, while employing a strength-based and person-centered focus. Amanda utilizes CBT, DBT, ACT and Solution Focused therapy to assist patients in achieving their mental health goals.

Amanda believes that mindfulness, acceptance and unconditional positive regard ultimately leads to the attainment of mental wellness. While not working, Amanda enjoys spending quality time with her husband and four dogs, traveling, exploring the outdoors, and training for half marathons and marathons.

Private Pay Rate:
$155 per individual session
$50 per DBT Skills Training Group session
​
Insurances/EAPs Accepted: Blue Cross Blue Shield, HealthChoice

We also process Out of Network claims and Flexible Spending/Health Savings Accounts.

Shayla Hanna LPC/LADC Candidate

DBT Fellow | shayla@dbtokc.com

​Shayla's therapy superpowers are validation and genuineness.  She was raised in Ponca City, Oklahoma, and completed both her Bachelor's degree in Family Studies and Gerontology, and  Master's degree in Counseling Psychology at Southern Nazarene University.  
 
Shayla has experience in working with people with mood disorders, assisting victims of domestic violence and their families while working with the YWCA in Oklahoma City, and working in an inpatient setting with both mental wellness and substance use patients.  

She is deeply passionate about DBT and believes in the power it brings to clients who feel lost and alone, and the positive outcomes it has in working with those struggling with substance use.  Shayla also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Self-Psychology in her practice in order to provide the best treatment to her clients, allowing her to walk beside clients during their most difficult times.  She tries to implement the models DBT teaches into her everyday life, and believes a positive and genuine relationship between client and therapist is vital to the healing process.
 
While not working, Shayla enjoys traveling, spending time with her husband and three dogs, and swimming.

Private Pay Rate:
$125 per individual session
$50 per DBT Skills  Training Group session
​
Insurances/EAPs Accepted: Not eligible at this time.

We also process Out of Network claims and Flexible Spending/Health Savings Accounts.  

Sarah Zimmer LMSW-P

DBT Fellow | sarah@dbtokc.com

Sarah's therapy super-power is radical genuineness and transparent communication. Originally from Norman, Oklahoma, she received her Bachelor's and Master's in Social Work from the University of Oklahoma. Before starting her Master's work, Sarah has had experience in Community Mental Health, supporting adolescents, adults, and families in crisis situations. Sarah works with all populations that benefit from DBT and enjoys being professionally challenged when working with adolescents and families.

As someone who is skilled in working with individuals experiencing crises, Sarah appreciates the flexibility and structure that Dialectical Behavior Therapy offers. Sarah helps her clients promote mindful acceptance so she can meet them where they are while also challenging clients to make skillful change.

Sarah is dedicating her career to the Dialectical Behavior Therapy model as it helps clients with varying needs get the skill management and emotional support they are looking for.

Private Pay Rate:
$125 per individual session
$50 per DBT Skills Training Group session
​
Insurances/EAPs Accepted: Not eligible at this time.

We also process Out of Network claims and Flexible Spending/Health Savings Accounts.

Kris Bryant LPC

Founder & Owner | contact@krisbryantlpc.com

Validation and acceptance are Kris' therapy super-powers. Kris studied Psychology at Southern Nazarene University (2006) and Counseling Psychology at the University of Central Oklahoma (2009). He received intensive training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy through the Linehan Institute in 2011. As a supervising clinician for a community mental health center in Oklahoma City, he was integral in developing the first outpatient DBT program for adolescents in the state of Oklahoma. He was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin to the Oklahoma Suicide Prevention Council.

Kris loves to share in the human experience and that which is good, true, and beautiful. He enjoys the Victorian small town life with his family in historic Guthrie, Oklahoma where he serves on the Planning Commission.

Private Pay Rate:
$155 per individual session
$50 per DBT Skills Training Group session
​
Insurances/EAPs Accepted: Aetna, Beacon Health Options, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, ComPsych, Coventry/First Health, EMPAC, GlobalHealth, Healthcare Highways/WebTPA, HealthChoice, Insure Oklahoma, Military OneSource, Optum, SoonerCare (for individuals under 21 years of age), UnitedHealthcare

We also process Out of Network claims and Flexible Spending/Health Savings Accounts.