What Is DBT?

What Is Dialectical Behaviour Therapy ?

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) was developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan as an treatment for individuals struggling with Borderline Personality Disorder. Research has demonstrated that DBT can help both teens and adults and is helpful for a variety of conditions, including depression, anxiety, substance use, disordered eating, impulsivity/self harm and chronic pain. The goal of DBT is to improve one's ability to cope with stress, regulate emotions, interact with others and be more present in the moment.

Components of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

  • Individual therapy provides a more personalized space to apply these skills to your own life. Together with your therapist, you can explore challenges, identify patterns, work toward personal goals, and problem-solve situations that are unique to you.

  • Group skills training provides a supportive environment for client’s and their caregivers to learn and practice practical skills for managing emotions, navigating relationships, tolerating distress, and staying present in the moment. Learning alongside others can also help teens recognize that they are not alone in their experiences.

  • Skills Coaching: putting new skills into practice can be challenging, especially when difficult moments arise between sessions. While we are unable to offer 24 h coaching at this time, as part of our DBT-informed approach, clients who participate in our DBT skills group can access skills coaching by email during regular office hours. Skills coaching provides brief, practical support to help you identify and use DBT-informed skills in the moment. It may include helping you choose a skill, troubleshoot how to use it, or think through how to apply what you have been learning in group and individual therapy. Skills coaching is intended to support skill use between sessions, rather than replace individual therapy or provide crisis support. Email coaching is available during regular office hours, and responses are not provided outside of these hours.

  • Consultation Team: A consultation team is an important component of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. It provides therapists with ongoing support, collaboration, and accountability as they deliver DBT-informed care. Our consultation team meets regularly to share perspectives, problem-solve challenges, support effective use of DBT strategies, and maintain a consistent, compassionate approach to treatment. This collaborative process helps therapists continue learning and ensures that clients receive thoughtful and well-supported care.

Caregiver participation in DBT skills group

A key part of our DBT Skills Group is that both the adolescent and a consistent primary caregiver participate together. We believe that learning DBT skills as a family can make it easier to bring those skills into everyday life.

Caregiver participation provides an opportunity to:

  • Learn the same skills as your teen and understand the language of DBT

  • Support your teen in practicing and using skills outside of group

  • Develop skills to manage your own emotions during challenging moments

  • Strengthen communication and relationships at home

  • Respond more effectively and thoughtfully when emotions run high

DBT skills are most helpful when they can be practiced in real-life situations. Having caregivers learn alongside their teens helps create a shared understanding and supports the generalization of skills beyond the group setting.