About DBT
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, or DBT, is a structured type of therapy designed to help people better understand and manage intense emotions, respond to stress in healthier ways, and improve relationships.
The name Dialectical Behaviour Therapy reflects its core principles:
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Dialectical: This refers to the integration of opposites. In DBT, it's about finding a balance between acceptance (acknowledging reality as it is) and change (working to improve and manage behaviour).
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Behaviour: DBT focuses on observable behaviour patterns and how they’re influenced by thoughts and emotions.
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Therapy: A structured form of treatment that includes individual therapy, group skills training, phone coaching, and consultation for therapists.
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DBT was originally developed by Dr Marsha LInehan and is recognised as the gold standard psychological treatment for people with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Research has shown that DBT is also effective in treating a wide range of other problems such as substance dependence, depression, PTSD, eating disorders, and anger.
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DBT is suitable for those who have tried other types of first-line psychological treatments but have not responded adequately, or whose problems are multiple and complex so setting and maintaining a treatment focus is difficult.
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DBT teaches skills in four main areas:
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Mindfulness: learning how to be more present and aware of your thoughts, feelings, and surroundings without judgment.
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Distress Tolerance: building skills to help you get through difficult situations without resorting to harmful behaviours.
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Emotion Regulation: understanding your emotions and learning strategies to manage them more effectively.
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Interpersonal Effectiveness: communicating more clearly, maintaining self-respect, and building healthier relationships.
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DBT involves a combination of individual therapy, group skills training, and sometimes phone coaching to support you in applying the skills in real-life situations.
What to expect: your commitment to DBT
Like any meaningful process of change, DBT requires active commitment from clients - and often, support from loved ones. Clients typically go through multiple stages of treatment, working on different aspects as they progress.
DBT involves a significant commitment of time, resources and willingness to prioritise DBT as your primary treatment. This means stopping or pausing other psychological treatments while you are in DBT.
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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Here’s what you can expect when beginning DBT, and what’s expected of you in return:
1. TIME COMMITMENT
DBT is considered an intensive program, which involves a significant time commitment to effectively learn and implement the DBT skills.
DBT typically involves multiple weekly components:
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1 individual therapy session per week (50–60 minutes)
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1 DBT skills group session per week (150 minutes)
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Between-session coaching (if joining full comprehensive DBT)
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Daily skills practice and diary card tracking
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This structure usually lasts for 48 weeks of sessions depending on your needs and treatment goals.
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​​​​Why it matters: Regular attendance and active participation are essential for building new skills and creating lasting change.
2. COMMITMENT TO LEARNING AND PRACTICING SKILLS
​​​​DBT is not just talk therapy - it’s skills-based.
You’ll be learning practical tools for:
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Regulating emotions
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Tolerating distress
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Improving relationships
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Increasing mindfulness and self-awareness
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You’ll be expected to:
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Attend all group and individual sessions consistently
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Practice DBT skills daily in real-life situations
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Complete weekly homework assignments and use diary cards to track emotions and behaviours
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Bring questions or difficulties to your sessions for discussion
Why it matters: Skills only become effective when practised. Your willingness to try - even when it feels hard - is a key part of your growth.
3. EMOTIONAL AND PERSONAL COMMITMENT
​DBT is designed to help with intense emotional suffering, which means therapy can bring up strong feelings. You may be asked to look at painful experiences, challenge old habits, and try new ways of coping.
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Stay engaged even when it’s hard or progress feels slow
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Be honest and open in your sessions
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Keep showing up, especially on tough days
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Ask for help when needed
Why it matters: Real change takes courage, consistency, and a willingness to stay the course, even when it feels uncomfortable.
4. FINANCIAL COMMITMENT
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DBT is a comprehensive treatment program, which is delivered through The Glow Centre, a private practice. We do not bulk bill or invoice third parties for payment.
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You will be responsible for the fees associated with participating in our program, such as:
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Weekly individual therapy fees
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Skills group fees
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Phone coaching fees (if applicable)
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Missed or late cancellation fees session fees (in accordance with our policies)
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Clients may be eligible for a limited number of Medicare rebates, however, the time and support required for effective DBT exceeds the number of Medicare rebated sessions available.
Why it matters: DBT is a significant investment - of time, resources, and finances - and we want to ensure you're prepared and supported throughout.
Stages of DBT
DBT is organized into stages of treatment, each with specific goals. These stages provide a clear framework to guide both client and therapist through the recovery and growth process.
PRE-COMMITMENT
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Before DBT formally begins, there's a pre-treatment phase focused on building motivation, clarifying goals, and ensuring DBT is the right fit.
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Pre-commitment consists of a minimum of 3 individual sessions with your allocated DBT therapist.
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In some cases, pre-commitment may be delivered over a longer period (i.e. more than 3 sessions).
Reasons for extending pre-commitment may include (but are not limited to): non-completion of homework, non-completion of other pre-commitment tasks, or difficulty demonstrating commitment to DBT agreements.
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During this phase, the therapist will:
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Explore your treatment history and current challenges
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Explain how DBT works, including time and emotional commitments
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Help you identify specific goals for therapy
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Discuss the structure of DBT (individual therapy, skills group, homework, etc.)
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Invite you to commit to the full program if it feels like the right path
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Goal: Establish readiness, commitment, and mutual understanding between client and therapist before beginning intensive work.
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STAGE 1: Obtain behavioural control
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Primary focus:
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Reduce life-threatening behaviours (e.g. suicidal actions, self-harm)
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Eliminate therapy-interfering behaviours (e.g. missing sessions, missing homework, shutting down)
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Decrease quality-of-life-interfering behaviours (e.g. substance use, eating issues, explosive anger)
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Goal: Gain behavioural control and increase stability. Clients build foundational skills to manage overwhelming emotions and stay engaged in therapy.
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STAGE 2: Experience and regulate emotions
Once behaviours are stabilized, clients begin to explore deeper emotional experiences and unresolved trauma.
Primary focus:
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Reduce emotional avoidance and numbing
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Process painful memories, shame, or trauma
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Decrease emotional suffering and reactivity
Goal: Help clients experience emotions more fully, without becoming overwhelmed or resorting to harmful behaviours.
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STAGE 3: Solve problems of everyday life
With increased emotional resilience, the focus shifts to achieving personal goals and improving quality of life.
Primary focus:
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Strengthen relationships
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Improve self-esteem
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Pursue work, education, or creative goals
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Live in alignment with personal values
Goal: Move from surviving to thriving. Clients work to create a fulfilling and purposeful life.
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STAGE 4: Increase capacity for joy
At this stage, most of the intense emotional and behavioral challenges have been addressed, and you’re likely functioning well in everyday life. Now, the focus shifts to deepening emotional wellbeing, enhancing your ability to experience a full and satisfying life, beyond just managing symptoms or reducing distress.
Primary focus:
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Strengthening your ability to feel joy, contentment, and connection more consistently
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Letting go of lingering patterns of self-criticism, fear, or emotional avoidance that may limit positive experiences
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Developing more meaningful relationships and nurturing a sense of belonging
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Focusing on sustaining progress, rather than just coping
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Learning to embrace positive emotions and live with a sense of purpose, balance, and satisfaction
Goal: Not just to survive or function - but to truly enjoy your life and relationships. To build a life that feels meaningful, connected, and emotionally rich.