Canberra DBT Provider — Individual Dialectical Behaviour Therapy at Mindscape
What is Dialectical Behaviour Therapy?
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a structured, evidence-based form of psychotherapy originally developed to treat Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Today, it is widely recognised as one of the most effective therapeutic approaches for a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance abuse, and PTSD.
At Mindscape Therapy in Phillip, Canberra, our DBT sessions help clients build practical, real-world skills to manage difficult emotions, improve relationships, and create a more stable and fulfilling life.
Our Canberra DBT program and indivudal therapy draws on a combination of mindfulness, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), and acceptance-based strategies — giving you a comprehensive toolkit for lasting change.
What do Mindscape Therapy Canberra DBT Sessions Look Like?
What Do Mindscape's Canberra DBT Sessions Look Like?
Our Canberra DBT sessions are offered as individual therapy, tailored to your specific goals and circumstances. Sessions are held in person at our Phillip clinic (Woden area) or via telehealth for clients across the ACT and beyond.
Your therapist will work with you to understand your history, identify the patterns that are getting in the way, and guide you through the DBT skills most relevant to your life. Progress is tracked collaboratively, so you always know where you’re headed.
We also offer a DBT Skills Group for adults — a structured group program for those who want to deepen their skills in a supportive community setting. Many clients find that combining individual DBT sessions with the group program produces the strongest, most lasting results.
Learn More About the strengths and Benefits of DBT
The 4 Core Skills Taught in Our Canberra DBT Sessions
Our Canberra DBT sessions are structured around four evidence-based skill modules:
1. Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the foundation of DBT. It involves learning to be fully present in the current moment — observing your thoughts and feelings without judgment. Mindfulness helps you respond to situations thoughtfully rather than react impulsively.
2. Emotion Regulation
Emotion regulation skills help you identify, understand, and manage intense emotions such as anger, grief, fear, or shame. Rather than being overwhelmed by your feelings, you’ll learn strategies to reduce their intensity and impact on your daily life.
3. Distress Tolerance
Life inevitably involves pain and crisis. Distress tolerance skills equip you to get through difficult moments without making things worse, using techniques like self-soothing, radical acceptance, and structured distraction.
4. Interpersonal Effectiveness
Healthy relationships are central to wellbeing. Interpersonal effectiveness skills help you communicate assertively, set and maintain boundaries, and navigate conflict, building relationships that are supportive rather than draining.
Learn More About the strengths and Benefits of DBT
Who is Canberra DBT Effective for and how Could Potentially Help You:
- Improved Emotional Regulation: DBT helps you to learn to identify and manage your emotions in a healthy way, which can lead to greater emotional stability and a reduction in symptoms.
- Greater Self Awareness: Through mindfulness and other techniques, DBT helps you develop greater self-awareness and insight into your own thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.
- Improved Relationships: DBT teaches you how to communicate effectively, set boundaries, and build healthy relationships with others.
- Reduced Risk of Self-Harm and Suicide: DBT has been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of self-harm and suicide among people with BPD and other conditions.
- Improved Quality of Life: By helping you manage your symptoms and improve your relationships, DBT can lead to a greater sense of well-being and an improved quality of life.
If you’re unsure whether DBT is right for you, our Canberra-based therapists are happy to discuss your needs before you commit to a session or program.
The Evidence Behind DBT
DBT is one of the most rigorously researched forms of therapy available. The evidence base includes:
- Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) consistently demonstrating DBT’s effectiveness in reducing self-harm, suicide attempts, and psychiatric hospitalisations among people with BPD.
- Research showing significant symptom reduction across depression, anxiety, PTSD, eating disorders, and substance use.
- Long-term follow-up studies indicating that DBT’s benefits are sustained well beyond the end of treatment.
DBT is recognised as a valid and effective therapeutic method by the Australian Psychological Society (APS), and our Canberra DBT therapists are trained to deliver it to the highest clinical standards.
Frequently Asked Questions — Canberra DBT
How many DBT sessions will I need?
DBT is typically a longer-term therapy. Individual programs vary, but most clients engage in sessions over several months. Your therapist will discuss a recommended timeframe based on your goals at the outset.
Is DBT available via telehealth in Canberra?
Yes. We offer telehealth DBT sessions for clients who prefer to work from home, or who are located outside of the Phillip/Woden area but still within the ACT or surrounds.
Is DBT covered by Medicare?
If you have a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP, you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate on individual DBT sessions. Contact us to discuss fees, rebates, and what to expect financially.
What's the difference between individual DBT and the DBT Skills Group?
Individual DBT sessions focus on your personal goals and history with a one-on-one therapist. The DBT Skills Group is a structured program where participants learn the four DBT skill modules together. Both are effective — many clients benefit from doing both simultaneously.
In order to participate in the DBT Skills Group, you must also be attending one-on-one DBT therapy with one of our psychologists or an external accredited practitioner.
Do I need a referral to access Canberra DBT at Mindscape?
No referral is needed to book an appointment – however, though a GP referral and Mental Health Treatment Plan you can access Medicare rebates.