Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) helps you calm the emotional storm, end destructive behaviours, and improve your relationships.

DBT is an evidence-based treatment, originally developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan at the University of Washington to help people who struggled with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) which is often characterised by impulsive behavior, difficulty in interpersonal relationships and intense emotional fluctuations, chronic suicidal behaviours and self-harm. Often, these people experience a variety of challenges associated with difficulty regulating intense emotions.

DBT combines contemporary research findings on what helps people make lasting change, with ancient mindfulness practices borrowed from eastern and western contemplative traditions. Now recognised by both the NHS and many health insurance providers as the gold standard in treating those with BPD, DBT is also proven to be more effective than traditional talk therapy in treating a range of issues that have difficulty in regulating emotions at their core. DBT has been proven especially effective for those who are experiencing treatment resistant depression or anxiety, eating disorders, addictions, ADHD and ASD.

DBT is designed to give you the skills and support to create...

"a life worth living"

The difference between DBT Skills, DBT Informed Therapy and Comprehensive DBT

"Comprehensive DBT" refers to the full Dialectical Behaviour Therapy treatment model, which includes individual therapy sessions with a comprehensively trained DBT therapist, a dedicated skills training group, phone coaching between sessions, and a therapist consultation team.

"DBT skills" refers to the specific skills taught as a part of comprehensive DBT. mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, which are usually learned in a group setting as part of a comprehensive DBT program; essentially, "DBT skills" are a component of "comprehensive DBT" but not the whole treatment approach.

"DBT Informed Therapy" refers to the weekly psychotherapy or cousnlleing sessions conducted by a therapist who has knowledge of DBT skills and van help you integrate specific skills as a part of these sessions.

DBT Skills components:

Whilst DBT skills can be integrated into traditional talk therapies, People with BPD, those who self-harm, use substances heavily, experience frequent dissociation, or have other impulsive behaviors that cause harm, are likely to benefit more from comprehensive DBT than “DBT-informed” therapy or skills alone.

Comprehensive DBT components:

Individual DBT Psychotherapy:

Weekly therapy with an intensively trained DBT therapist which includes review of a diary card to track your emotions, behaviours and use of skills throughout the week.

DBT Skills Group:

Structured group meetings that are similar to a class. Each skills group begins with a guided meditation followed by homework review and teaching of a new skill - Individual skills sessions can be provided on request.

Phone Coaching:

Between session phone coaching with your individual therapist to help you apply the skills in your daily life.

Therapist DBT team meetings:

This vital part of DBT is not so apparent to you as the client, but it is important to help the therapist stay within the DBT model and provide you with the best possible treatment.

If any of the above 4 components are missing you are not in Comprehensive DBT therapy.

Comprehensive DBT is provided by Jacqui Vaughan and her colleague Craig Everard.

Both are intensively trained to provide services which include all of the 4 key components of Comprehensive DBT.

To find out more give us a call 07801 651033 or leave your details in the form below and we will get back to you.