Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

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Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), developed by Marsha Linehan PhD at the University of Washington, is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on behavioural change for individuals with extreme emotions and distress.

DBT’s focus is on increasing an individual’s capacity to regulate emotions, tolerate distress, and reduce impulsivity. The “D” means “dialectical.” A dialectic is a synthesis or integration of opposites. In DBT, dialectical strategies help both the therapist and the client get unstuck from extreme positions. Dialectical strategies keep the therapy in balance and help clients reach their ultimate goals as quickly as possible. The “B” stands for “behavioural.” DBT requires a behavioural approach. This means that we assess the situations and target behaviours that are relevant to our clients’ goals in order to figure out how to solve the problems in their lives. The “T” stands for “therapy” which DBT is.

Since Marsha Linehan’s original approach was published in the 1980s a range of DBT and DBT-informed approaches have been developed and validated through research and evaluation.

At our DBT Clinics individuals can access DBT (traditional), Radically Open DBT, Trauma Informed DBT (DBT-TI) and Carers/Supporters DBT programs (C-DBT).

WE PROVIDE A RANGE OF SKILLS GROUPS/CLASSES

DBT GROUPS & SKILLS CLASSES

Radically Open DBT

Developed by Dr. Thomas Lynch and published in the early 2000s this approach has evidence for individuals with maladaptive over control.

Trauma Informed DBT

Developed by Dr. Peter King and published in the early 2010s this approach has found affective for individuals with a trauma history.

DBT for Carers, Supporters & Families

Developed by Dr. King in 2010, this approach has been adapted from the family connections program with the support and input of consumers, carers and clinicians.

DBT APPROACHES

we use at our DBT clinics nationally! Why so many? We recognise that DBT needs to be adapted!

Traditional DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOUR THERAPY (DBT)

Originally developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan and published in the 1980s, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is an approach that has evidence for individuals with maladaptive under control presentations. DBT’s focus is on increasing an individual’s capacity to regulate emotions, tolerate distress, and reduce impulsivity.

DBT is considered a transdiagnostic treatment indicated for maladaptive emotional under-controlled client populations, including individuals with diagnoses such as borderline personality disorder, substance misuse, or bipolar disorder

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TRADITIONAL DBT

RADICALLY OPEN DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOUR THERAPY (RO-DBT)

Radically Open Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (RO DBT) is a type of cognitive behavioural therapy developed by Dr. Thomas R. Lynch for disorders of emotional over-control. RO DBT is a transdiagnostic treatment indicated for individuals with diagnoses of chronic depression, treatment-resistant anxiety disorders, anorexia nervosa, autism spectrum disorders, and avoidant, paranoid, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RO-DBT

TRAUMA INFORMED DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOUR THERAPY (DBT-TI)

Our Trauma Informed Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT-TI) approach is an adaption to traditional DBT approach, developed by Dr. Peter L. King, for individuals who have had a traumatic experience in their lives. The program is also deemed to be suitable for individuals with no trauma history in their background. This approaches does not process trauma during the stabilisation phase of treatment as the focus is on acquiring resources to create stability in people’s lives.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT DBT-TI

YOUTH BASED DBT APPROACH (Y-DBT)

DBT was ﬁrst adapted for use with suicidal adolescents by Dr. A. Miller and Dr. J. Rathus in 1997. Although the core components of DBT and modes of the treatment were retained, several changes were made by the authors to the treatment approach and treatment manual more appropriate for this younger population.

Professionals working with suicidal adolescents with multiple problems are often challenged by complex clinical presentations and the many dilemmas that arise during treatment. Evidence suggests that Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) can help suicidal adolescents and their families.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT Y-DBT

CARERS, FAMILY & FRIENDS DBT SUPPORT GROUP (C-DBT)

Our C-DBT group program has been adapted from the evidence-based family connections program, originally created by Dr. Alan Fruzzetti and Dr. Perry Hoffman in the USA, with the input of a range of carers and clinicians.

Our Carers, Family and friends support program runs over 10 weeks and provides attendees with a range of DBT informed skills and resources to enhance their capacity to support individuals with emotion regulation difficulties.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT C-DBT

STABILISATION BASED THERAPY (DBT INFORMED APPROACH)

The work of stabilisation focuses on each individual in therapy being sufficiently “safe ” and “stable” before a therapist explores an individual’s understanding (sometimes referred to as therapeutic processing and insight work) of past traumas/stressful/painful memories. The position of therapists who practice stabilisation, is that therapists initially assume the role of teacher and guide individuals to develop or re-connect with effective strategies to reduce distress, painful/intrusive memories and address immediate concerns.

Tools used by our DBT Clinic therapists, during stabilisation, may include DBT, RO-DBT, CBT, crisis intervention, psychoeducation, mindfulness, and therapist modelling. A particular attention to safety, life-skill-building, and individual empowerment underpin the therapeutic process. Once an individual is sufficiently “safe” and “stable”, and indicates a desire for additional support, then the therapeutic approach of the therapist will move more towards empathic listening, attention to an individual’s experiences and a deeper exploration of trauma and painful memories.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SBT