DBT was designed to be a comprehensive treatment programme for people with more complex problems. The two core treatment aspects of DBT are the skills group and one-on-one therapy. At Sydney DBT we offer both skills groups and individual therapy, along with phone coaching, consult group, and programmes for families, friends and carers. In this way Sydney DBT offers one of the very few fully comprehensive, integrated DBT programmes in Australia.

The DBT skills group is aimed at helping people learn the core DBT coping skills that will allow them to manage their emotions, actions and thoughts effectively.

People who attend the skills group participate in an active process that helps them acquire new skills. This is quite different from most ‘psychotherapy’ groups, which focus in in-depth exploration and analysis of the person’s personality and past history. In DBT group we work on what is happening how, and how to develop ways of responding differently and effectively.

Over the twenty weeks participants learn four different sets of skills, these are Distress Tolerance, Emotional Regulation, Mindfulness, and Interpersonal Effectiveness.

Distress tolerance skills help people to withstand and overcome strong emotions and urges. They are central to managing problems such as drug and alcohol use, self-harm, suicidal urges and so on.

Emotional regulation skills help the person develop a more effective and liveable emotional world. The skills build emotional awareness and resilience, and help reduce vulnerability to problematic emotions.

Mindfulness is a common component of mots psychological therapies now days. However, it has been a part of DBT for many years. Mindfulness helps people to be more aware of, and engage more effectively with, their inner world. Through mindfulness people learn to step back and not get so caught up in unhelpful thoughts and feelings.

interpersonal effectiveness skills are all about relationships. They help people to form relationships more effectively, functional well and grow within relationships, and even end them in the best possible way if the need arises.

To find out more contact us at DBTintake@sydneyclinicalpsychology.com.au