Everyone struggles from time to time with mood and interpersonal relationships. This can be especially evident when environmental stressors increase and surpass our level of tolerance and self-regulation. Some individuals notice their challenges and struggles feel more severe and frequent, to the point that it fundamentally undermines their well-being and appears to be part of who they are and how they function day to day. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) was developed and quickly became an evidence-based therapeutic modality to assist individuals who experience severe and frequent difficulties in their relationships, decision-making and emotional regulation.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and when to seek DBT Therapy in Melbourne
What is Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)?
Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is a treatment adopted within the therapy space, that helps individuals to better regulate strong or intense feelings and emotions. The dialectical behaviour therapy approach has evolved from its late-80s origins, often known originally for treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD), however, overtime been shown to be effective for individuals experiencing emotion dysregulation, anxiety, depression, trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addiction, and a range of other clinical presentations. It is also found to be highly beneficial to support individuals who experience self-harm urges or suicidal thoughts and feelings. As Dialectical Behaviour Therapy is a skill-based approach, there are four main components:
- Emotion Regulation
- Distress Tolerance
- Interpersonal Effectiveness
- Mindfulness
How Psychologists Can Help?
Searching the internet or asking for recommendations for a good psychologist Melbourne can be a daunting process, especially when there are many results to scan through for therapy Melbourne, therapy near me, or a near me psychologist who fits your needs. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, feel free to send us an online enquiry, and we’ll help guide you through the process.
Our psychologists explore your therapy goals and often incorporate DBT principles into your sessions to help achieve desired clinical outcomes. While traditional DBT typically involves a combination of group therapy and individual therapy, along with a team of therapists following a set agenda, our private psychology clinic in Melbourne adapts DBT principles to fit your individual needs. We focus on teaching tools and techniques that prioritise your specific requirements from session to session. Our psychologists skillfully integrate key DBT techniques and principles to address your unique needs effectively within the constraints of our practice.
Our Positive Psychologist Approach
At Positive Wellbeing Psychology, our team of psychologists value and recognise the uniqueness each person brings to therapy, and customise the therapy approach, often intertwining DBT, among other evidence-based therapy modalities such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), or Schema Therapy, depending on the individual’s unique needs and therapy goals.
Exploring DBT’s four main components…
Emotion Regulation
This DBT component guides us to recognise and observe our emotions. It allows us to slow down our emotional responses to help you facilitate healthier choices. Emotion regulation allows for noticing more informed and supportive choices in our response to thoughts and emotions. Whilst the emotion regulation component helps us to better understand our emotions, it also assists with reducing emotional vulnerability and improving our resilience.
Distress Tolerance
Distress tolerance skills help us to ride out intense, challenging emotions, without acting harmfully. These techniques provide a temporary pause from intense emotions, allowing you to step back and reflect on how to manage your feelings effectively. It’s often challenging to think rationally when overwhelmed by strong emotions such as anger, shame, or sadness.
Interpersonal Effectiveness
This component of DBT helps us navigate our personal relationships more effectively while also ensuring our own needs are considered. You will learn tools and techniques for expressing your beliefs and needs, establishing clear boundaries in relationships, and improving your confidence in negotiating with others. Effective interpersonal skills help us form and sustain meaningful connections.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness means being present and nonjudgmental. It is the foundation of DBT, helping people become more aware of their thoughts, emotions, and bodies. Mindfulness helps us to perceive our experiences without being overwhelmed.
What conditions has dialectical behaviour therapy been proven effective for?
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Originally designed to treat BPD, DBT is still among the most successful therapies available for this disorder. DBT would be a useful therapy modality, should you or a loved one notice challenges with frequently experiencing unstable relationships, extreme emotions, and impulsive behaviours.
Depression and Anxiety
Emphasising emotional control and discomfort tolerance, DBT has been modified to effectively treat anxiety and depression. Learning tools and techniques on how to better manage severe emotions, reduce unhealthy or self-destructive habits, and strengthen relationships helps those suffering from anxiety and depression.
PTSD, or Post-Trauma Stress Disorder
DBT helps people create coping mechanisms for controlling trauma-related symptoms. For individuals with PTSD, mindfulness and distress tolerance techniques especially help by assisting the individual to remain grounded and in control of strong emotions.
Addiction, including Substance Use
By addressing the fundamental emotional problems driving the addition such as substance misuse, DBT is successful in treating substance use disorders. The knowledge gained in DBT helps individuals create better coping strategies and subsequently become less dependent on substances or other addictive behaviours.
Eating Disorders or Disordered Eating
DBT has been adapted to address eating disorders, focusing on emotional regulation and distress tolerance. By learning tools and techniques to manage emotions and responses to daily stressors and events, individuals can develop healthier relationships with food and their bodies.
dialectical behaviour therapy Melbourne
How can Positive Wellbeing Psychology help?
At Positive Wellbeing Psychology, our Melbourne psychology practice comprises of warm and highly skilled psychologists trained in evidence-based treatment including Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).
Make an Appointment
At our psychology practice in Melbourne, we aim to match you with a psychologist who best suits your needs and therapy goals. Appointments are available with a psychologist trained in Dialectical Behavioural Therapy during the day, after-hours, or on the weekend.
DBT Therapy in Melbourne
Our team of Australian Registered Psychologists are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and adhere to ethical guidelines set by the Australian Psychological Society and the Psychologists Registration Board of Victoria. We utilise evidence-based treatment approaches to support with workplace stress and effective communication. If you’re seeking therapy Melbourne, our skilled psychologists offer various services, including Dialectical Behavioural Therapy for emotional regulation. You can also connect with a therapist online Australia to access some of the best therapists Melbourne has to offer. For individuals experiencing anxiety and depression, our team provides psychology treatment for depression and anxiety therapy. Additionally, if you are looking for a positive psychologist, we offer support to enhance emotional well-being and provide comprehensive psychological assistance.