What to expect: your commitment to DBT

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.

Because 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.

Here’s what you can expect when beginning DBT, and what’s expected of you in return:

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:

1 individual therapy session per week (50–60 minutes)
1 DBT skills group session per week (150 minutes)
Between-session coaching (if joining full comprehensive DBT)
Daily skills practice and diary card tracking

This structure usually lasts for 48 weeks of sessions depending on your needs and treatment goals.

Why it matters: Regular attendance and active participation are essential for building new skills and creating lasting change.

Commitment to learning and practicing new skills

DBT is not just talk therapy - it’s skills-based. You’ll be learning practical tools for:

Regulating emotions
Tolerating distress
Improving relationships
Increasing mindfulness and self-awareness

You’ll be expected to:

Attend all group and individual sessions consistently
Practice DBT skills daily in real-life situations
Complete weekly homework assignments and use diary cards to track emotions and behaviors
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.

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.

To get the most from DBT, it helps to:

Stay engaged even when it’s hard or progress feels slow
Be honest and open in your sessions
Keep showing up, especially on tough days
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.

Financial commitment

DBT is a comprehensive treatment program, which is delivered through The Glow Centre, a private practice.

You will be responsible for the fees associated with participating in our program, such as:

Weekly individual therapy fees
Weekly group therapy fees
Missed or late cancellation fees session fees (in accordance with our policies)

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-rebatable 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.

Skills groups duration and dates

Next: fees

Skills groups - duration and dates

New DBT participants will commence skills groups at the next module, once pre-commitment is complete. Modules run one at a time, with a break of approximately 2 - 4 weeks between each module.

Skills group start dates are approximate and depend on sufficient participant numbers. Dates may be delayed if participant numbers are low.

Module: Mindfulness

Mindfulness is considered the first skill to learn in DBT and is therefore incorporated into the first 2 weeks of each module

Module: Interpersonal effectiveness

7 x weekly group sessions

Next module commencement: approx. April 2025

Module: Distress tolerance

8 x weekly group sessions

Next module commencement: approx. July 2025

Module: Emotion regulation

9 x weekly group sessions

Next module commencement: approx. February + October 2025

DBT options at The Glow Centre

Both of our DBT streams involve a 48-week ‘standard dose’ of DBT according to the standard module schedule.

Note: we do not offer skills groups only at The Glow Centre. All participants of DBT at The Glow Centre must be attending individual DBT sessions with a therapist at our practice.

STREAM 1: Comprehensive DBT

48-week intensive program including:

Skills training groups (2.5 hours per week)
Individual therapy (50 minutes per week)
Between-session skills phone coaching
Consultation team support

STREAM 2: Skills training + individual therapy

48-week intensive program including:

Skills training groups (2.5 hours per week)
Individual therapy (50 minutes per week)
Consultation team support

Both streams offer close to 3.5 hours per week of focused DBT training, to help you learn the DBT skills. Additionally, you will be able to actively practice applying these skills in real life situations, and discuss with your individual therapist how to apply these skills to your particular problems.

GlowDBT