What is Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)?

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is an effective, evidence based talk therapy.

DBT is a type of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). CBT looks at understanding how our thoughts can impact our emotions and behaviours.

DBT was tailored to assist individuals who experience emotions intensely. In addition to understanding our thoughts, feelings and behaviours, DBT has a focus on dialectics which is essentially an integration of opposites, and can be helpful to use to get unstuck from extreme positions. DBT has a focus on balancing acceptance and change. Social and emotional aspects of a person’s life is also integral to DBT.

The goals of DBT are to help individuals live in the present moment, manage intense emotions with helpful coping strategies, improve their relationships with others and regulate their emotions. The ultimate goal of DBT is to build a life worth living 😊

DBT was originally created by Marsha Linehan to treat Borderline Personality Disorder but DBT has found to effective in managing and treating:

Self Harm and Suicidal Thoughts
Mood Disorders
Anxiety Disorders
Substance Use
Eating Disorders, specifically Binge Eating Disorders and Bulimia
Interpersonal Conflicts

DBT has four main components:

Mindfulness: Being in the present moment, accepting of what is happening in the here and now, having a non-judgemental stance.

Distress Tolerance: Handling crises and managing intense emotions with helpful coping strategies.

Interpersonal Effectiveness: Improving relationships, communicating effectively, and managing conflict.

Emotion Regulation: Understanding our emotions, reducing our emotion vulnerability, and increase positive emotions.

Our Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Skills Groups

Mindscape Psychology and Allied Health specialises in running and facilitating Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Skills Groups for Adolescents and Young Adults from our practice in Leichhardt, the Inner West of Sydney. Please get in touch with our friendly team for more information and we look forward to supporting you on your DBT journey!