Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based treatment for people who have challenges with intense and painful emotions. DBT can help us to understand, change, and cope with our emotions more effectively, and to have the life that we want.

DBT was first developed to help people experiencing difficulties with life-threatening behaviours (e.g., self-harm and suicide). Today, we know that DBT helps with these challenges as well as those such as Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), anxiety and depression, anger, eating disorders, substance use, relationship difficulties, and impulsivity.

DBT combines the treatment modalities of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) with mindfulness. As a result, people in DBT learn to accept painful experiences and emotions while simultaneously changing patterns of behaviour that cause and maintain problems.

---

Comprehensive DBT has 4 Parts

---

A comprehensive DBT program, like the one provided by &therapy, includes individual therapy, skills group, telephone coaching, and a consultation team. 

Individual therapy focuses on challenges and behaviours that are life-threatening, interfere with therapy, or impact someone’s quality of life (e.g., anxiety, depression, substance use, & impulsivity). Skills training provides new strategies and behaviours to tolerate distress, regulate painful and intense emotions, increase awareness of thoughts and emotions, and to maintain and improve relationships. Phone coaching allows clients to speak with their therapist between sessions in order to increase their use of DBT skills and effective behaviours. A therapist consultation team provides as space for your team to work together at offering you the most effective therapy possible.

---