Now accepting applications for July 2025
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy - DBT
What is DBT?
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, or DBT, deals with the dialectics in life - when two seemingly conflicting things are true at the same time. I can accept myself as I am AND I need to change. It is about learning to manage emotions more effectively. It helps you find more effective and productive ways of engaging with the people and situations in your life.
DBT has been shown to be one of the most effective treatments for people who struggle with:
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Suicidality and Self-Harm struggles
It can also be extremely helpful with less severe challenges that impact the effectiveness of the client in their life. These challenges might be:
- Getting and keeping a job
- Keeping positive relationships
- Tolerating stress
- Emotional upset that interferes with daily life
program Format
DBT is a very intense therapy program that consists of weekly 1:1 counselling sessions as well as weekly skills classes.
The program runs for 6 months and it is expected that the attendance at skills group and individual therapy weekly for at least 6 months. This is the minimum expected required commitment.
As well, this is much more than passive educational or therapeutic program. It requires a commitment to be actively practicing the skills, tracking their effectiveness, and being willing to share with others in the group about how they are practicing the skills being presented.
Impact
Though it may be scary or intimidating to embark on such a intensive endeavor, the unique intensive feature of a full, comprehensive DBT program can be life changing for clients who have often been struggling for many, many years.