Dialectical Behaviour Therapy in Derrimut and Essendon | Psychologist Melbourne

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

DBT for emotional intensity and practical coping skills

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, commonly known as DBT, is a highly structured psychological therapy approach that is built on the idea of "dialectics" - the concept that two seemingly opposite truths can coexist. It focuses on the balance between acceptance (validating your current emotional state) and change (learning to modify unhealthy thoughts and behaviours). By combining acceptance and change strategies, DBT helps individuals learn to acknowledge their experiences without judgement while also developing skills to respond more effectively to life's challenges.

DBT can support individuals to better understand their emotions and recognise patterns in behaviour, allowing them to navigate challenges more effectively. The approach focuses on building practical skills in areas such as mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, which can help individuals manage difficult emotions, improve relationships, and respond to stressful situations with greater confidence and flexibility.

Who may benefit from DBT?

DBT can be helpful for individuals who experience emotions very intensly, feel overwhelmed by distress or find it difficult to manage emotions in ways that align with their goals and values.

It can help people experiencing:

• Intense or rapidly changing emotions
• Emotional overwhelm or distress
• Difficulty managing conflict or relationship stress
• Impulsive responses during difficult moments
• Self harm and suicidal ideation 
• Patterns of avoidance, shutdown, or disconnection
• Self-criticism or shame
• Difficulty setting boundaries or expressing needs
• A sense of feeling stuck in repeated emotional or relational patterns