DBT

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

Dialectical Behavior Therapy is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy that was originally developed to treat people with borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, it has since been used to treat a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance abuse, and PTSD.

Dialectical behaviour therapy combines several different treatment approaches, including mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and acceptance-based approaches. The focus of dialectical behaviour therapy is on teaching clients skills for managing difficult emotions, improving interpersonal relationships, and increasing self-awareness.

Learn More About Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Skills

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Aims to Teach Patients to Manage Complex Emotions Through Practical Skills:

The skills taught in DBT include:

Mindfulness: The practice of being fully present and aware of the current moment, without judgment.

Emotion regulation: Techniques for identifying and managing difficult emotions, such as anger, sadness, or anxiety.

Distress tolerance: Strategies for coping with distressing situations without making them worse, such as using relaxation techniques or distraction.

Interpersonal effectiveness: Skills for communicating effectively, setting boundaries, and building healthy relationships.

We also offer a DBT Skills Group for adults to provide a long term solution for learning these important mental health skills.

Learn More About the Possible Benefits of DBT

How Dialectical Behaviour Therapy 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.

Overall, DBT is a highly effective form of therapy that has helped many people improve their mental health and well-being.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy as an Evidence Based Practice for Mental Health Improvement:

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have consistently shown that DBT is effective in reducing self-harm, suicide attempts, and hospitalisations among individuals with BPD.

Research studies have also demonstrated the effectiveness of DBT in reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and eating disorders.

Long-term studies indicate that the benefits of DBT are sustained over time, with clients experiencing continued improvement in functioning and quality of life.

While we can’t promise you that DBT will solve your mental health issues, there is a substantial body of evidence for it’s effectiveness and it is recognised as valid method of therapy within the Australian Psychological Society.