What is Dialectical Behaviour Therapy?

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a therapy that has its roots in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) but has been adapted specifically to work with people who experience their emotions very intensely and struggle to manage them.

What can DBT help with?

It is mainly used to treat problems associated with Borderline Personality Disorder/Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder such as:

  • experiencing intense, overwhelming emotions
  • Self-harm and/or suicidal behaviour
  • Using alcohol or substances to manage emotions
  • Difficulties maintaining relationships
  • Eating problems such as binge eating

How does DBT work?

In its true sense, DBT is a year-long therapy consisting of weekly individual sessions, weekly skills group sessions and telephone coaching to support use of skills in between sessions.  It is made up of a team of therapists who meet weekly to discuss individuals in DBT and provide supervision to keep them ‘on track’ with the therapy. Currently, this is not something that we are able to offer due to resources. However, we are all trained DBT therapists and can offer DBT informed work if this is deemed to be the appropriate therapy for you. We can discuss this in more depth when we meet with you.