What Is Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)? A Simple Guide

carli215
Jul 12
2 min read

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a type of talk therapy that helps people manage intense emotions, reduce conflict in relationships, and build coping skills for daily life. It was originally created to support people with borderline personality disorder (BPD), but it’s now used for many mental health conditions — especially those involving emotion regulation and distress.

In DBT, the word “dialectical” means balancing two things that might seem opposite:➡ accepting yourself as you are➡ while also working towards positive change

It’s this balance that makes DBT so powerful.

🌱 What Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Helps With

DBT is most helpful for people who:

Struggle with intense mood swings or emotional outbursts
Feel overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, or frustration
Experience frequent conflict in relationships
Have difficulty with self-harm or impulsive behaviours
Find it hard to stay present or grounded in the moment

It’s also been adapted to support people with autism, ADHD, PTSD, and other neurodivergent or psychosocial needs.

🛠️ Core Skills Taught in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

DBT isn’t just about talking — it’s about learning real, practical skills. The therapy is usually structured around four core modules:

1. Mindfulness

Learning to slow down, observe thoughts without judgment, and stay present.

2. Distress Tolerance

Coping with emotional pain in healthy ways — without making the situation worse.

3. Emotion Regulation

Understanding your emotions, reducing emotional vulnerability, and improving mood.

4. Interpersonal Effectiveness

Building healthy boundaries, improving communication, and navigating conflict better.

🧩 What Does a Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Program Look Like?

DBT can be delivered in different ways depending on your needs and what’s available in your area:

Individual therapy: One-on-one with a trained DBT therapist
Group skills training: A class-style group to practise DBT strategies
Phone coaching: Support outside of sessions to apply DBT skills in real-time
Homework and worksheets: Tools to practise skills between sessions

Some programs offer all of these supports together. Others might focus just on group or individual therapy.

👨‍👩‍👧 Can Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Help NDIS Participants?

Yes — DBT-based strategies can be incredibly helpful for NDIS participants, especially those with psychosocial disability or neurodivergent needs. While only qualified therapists can deliver full DBT programs, support workers can use simple DBT-informed tools (like emotion regulation cards or grounding techniques) to reinforce what a participant is learning in therapy.

Support coordinators may also help participants connect with DBT providers or find community-based DBT programs that are NDIS-accessible.

✨ Why It Matters

DBT gives people tools to take back control of their emotions, actions, and relationships. For those who often feel misunderstood, overwhelmed, or stuck in cycles of reactivity — DBT can be a game-changer.

Whether you’re a participant, carer, or professional, understanding DBT helps build empathy and opens up new support pathways.