DBT Psychology
Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) treatment is a type of psychotherapy — or talk therapy — that utilizes a cognitive-behavioural approach. DBT emphasizes the psychosocial aspects of treatment.
The theory behind the approach is that some people are prone to react in a more intense and out-of-the-ordinary manner toward certain emotional situations, primarily those found in romantic, family and friend relationships. DBT theory suggests that some people’s arousal levels in such situations can increase far more quickly than the average person’s, attain a higher level of emotional stimulation, and take a significant amount of time to return to baseline arousal levels.
People who are sometimes diagnosed with borderline personality disorder experience extreme swings in their emotions, see the world in black-and-white shades, and seem to always be jumping from one crisis to another. Because few people understand such reactions — most of all their own family and a childhood that emphasized invalidation — they don’t have any methods for coping with these sudden, intense surges of emotion. DBT is a method for teaching skills that will help in this task.
The 4 Modules of DBT:
- Mindfulness
- Emotional Regulation
- Distress Tolerance Skills
- Interpersonal Effectiveness
What To Expect
1. Reaching Out for Help
Once you have decided to seek help and we have received your referral, either from your GP or other source my admin will contact you to make an intake appointment.
2. Getting to Know You
At the intake appointment your psychologist will ask you lots of questions to find out what is going on and to formulate a treatment plan.
3. Formulation and Treatment Planning
At the end of the session a treatment plan will be agreed upon. It is important to remember that you are the best person to know what feels right for you and if the treatment sounds like a good fit.
4. Treatment
After the intake appointment the next appointment will start the therapy process. Sessions are typically 50 minute sessions. This will typically involve a check in to see any issues that have arisen since last session. Your psychologist will teach you skills and support you to achieve your mental health goals identified above.
5. Relapse Prevention
These sessions teach you how to maintain the positive changes you have made.