Dialectical Behavioural Therapy Helps By…

Our Dialectical Behavioural Therapy practice provides you with a safe space to explore and understand your inner self, while giving you the tools to reduce distress and make improvements in your daily life. Our DBT therapists can help you… 

• Learn new skills to improve emotional regulation  

• Feel validated and understood in your experiences  

• Improve social communication and the quality of your personal relationships 

• Build tolerance and resiliency to be more prepared in handling stressful, emotionally charged situations  

Dialectical Behavioural Therapy: What is it?… 

Dialectical Behavioural Therapy is a talk-based therapy approach designed to teach emotional regulation skills to those who experience emotions at a heightened intensity and struggle with managing such emotions.  Through DBT, you will work to accept your current self and experiences, while also recognizing where adjustments could be beneficial. 

Alongside our DBT therapists, you will be accepted and supported through your current challenges and emotional states; while facilitating the recognition of opportunities and mechanisms that could lead to a healthier, more fulfilling future. The practice of emotional regulation tactics helps to provide you agency to make decisions that reflect your values and goals, rather than being driven by intense emotional states.

As you build your skill set and resiliency; you can feel more confident and prepared to handle emotional distress or other emotionally involved situations when they arise. This is beneficial not only for your own internal experiences and life quality, but for improving relationships and positive communication; allowing you to communicate your thoughts, feelings, and boundaries in a healthy and respectful way.  

Dialectical Behavioural Therapy: Who is it for?… 

While DBT can be useful for many individuals, it is specifically tailored to those who experience emotions to an intense degree, and those who struggle with emotional regulation and “coming down” from those heightened emotions; causing distress in their lives.  

Emotional dysregulation and struggles with intense emotions can appear as: 

•  Increased anger, such as acting out or lashing out. (e.g. verbal attacks, breaking objects, etc.)  

• Experience of intense mood shifts, and poor emotional responses to emotional upset. (e.g. driving recklessly, participating in substance abuse or self-harming behaviors, etc.)  

• Use of generally impulsive or unsafe behaviours to regulate the intensity of the emotions being felt.  

DBT is helpful for those who consistently experience emotional distress that is seemingly disproportionate to their life situations and current realities. 

Specific Mental Health Conditions: DBT can also be useful in improving the experiences of those with specific diagnoses; those with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Self-Harm, Substance Abuse Disorder, Anxiety, Depression, Bulimia and Binge-eating disorder may be best supported through Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.  

Dialectical Behavioural Therapy: Is it Right for You?   

Before beginning your therapy journey with DBT, here are some things to know:

Homework: Your provider may ask you to complete specific homework tasks in between sessions, such as keeping a diary or journal to track your emotional states, triggers, and coping tool implementation. Such tasks can help you keep track of the progress you’ve made, as well as offering practice and exercise of your new skills and tools. These are designed to support you in noticing your emotions and practicing effective coping, as well as helping your therapist understand areas that may be improved or built upon to uphold your growth and wellbeing.  

DBT Skills Groups: While MyLife Counselling does not currently run any DBT groups, you may be asked or encouraged to join a DBT skills group. These groups are intended to provide you with practice implementing DBT techniques, support you in-between your individual therapy sessions, and create a sense of community and understanding by sharing experiences with peers.   

Commitment: Meaningfully engaging with DBT takes practice and commitment outside of the therapy space. Be prepared to hold yourself accountable to your goals and exercise healthy coping tools, while cultivating self-compassion and acceptance.   

Dialectical Behavioural Therapy Leads to… 

Alongside our counsellors, DBT can lead you to… 

• Experience your world with more confidence, regulation, and control  

• Set and engage with healthy boundaries; using open, respectful communication and understanding for yourself and others    

• Recognize and meet your own emotional and regulatory needs  

• Overcome emotional and behavioural challenges, responding in a more adaptive and regulated manner; while meeting yourself where you are without judgement