What is Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)?

What is DBT?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a type of psychotherapy (talking therapy) designed to help people understand and manage their emotions more effectively. It combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with concepts of mindfulness, acceptance, and dialectics — balancing acceptance of the present with efforts to change behavior.

How can DBT help?

In DBT, you work with a therapist to identify patterns of thinking, emotions, and behaviours that are causing difficulties. DBT emphasises the development of four key skills:

Mindfulness: Being present in the moment and aware of your thoughts and feelings.

Distress Tolerance: Tolerating pain and distressing situations without resorting to harmful behaviors.

Emotion Regulation: Understanding and managing intense emotions more effectively.

Interpersonal Effectiveness: Navigating relationships and communicating more effectively.

For example,

Sam, a 32-year-old professional, seeks therapy for his/her intense emotional reactions and difficulties in maintaining relationships. Through Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Sam learns to observe their emotions without judgment and uses distress tolerance skills to manage intense feelings. Their psychologist helps them practice emotion regulation techniques to reduce emotional volatility and improve stability. Additionally, Sam works on interpersonal effectiveness skills to enhance their communication and relationship-building abilities. Over time, Sam’s emotional responses become more manageable, and they experience improved relationships and greater emotional balance.

You can read more about DBT at Healthline or Psychology Today.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is available from our Geelong Psychologist. Contact us to book a session or to make a referral.