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Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)

DBT is a skills-based therapy designed to help individuals regulate emotions, build healthier relationships, and manage stress, particularly effective for mood disorders and trauma.

Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a structured, skills-based therapy originally developed for individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD). It has since been adapted for treating a range of mental health conditions, including mood disorders, PTSD, eating disorders, and self-harm behaviours.


DBT integrates cognitive-behavioural strategies with mindfulness practices and emphasises dialectics — finding balance between acceptance and change. The therapy consists of four key modules:

  1. Mindfulness: Building awareness of the present moment.

  2. Emotional Regulation: Managing and understanding emotions effectively.

  3. Distress Tolerance: Developing strategies to cope with crises.

  4. Interpersonal Effectiveness: Improving communication and relationship skills.


DBT sessions often include individual therapy, skills training groups, and phone coaching to reinforce learned skills in real-time situations.

For LGBT clients, DBT offers valuable tools to manage the emotional and interpersonal challenges they may encounter, such as:


  • Coping with Minority Stress: Skills in distress tolerance and emotional regulation can mitigate the impact of societal prejudice.

  • Strengthening Relationships: Interpersonal effectiveness skills can improve communication in personal and professional relationships, especially when navigating coming out or advocating for one’s identity.

  • Building Resilience: Mindfulness practices support self-compassion and resilience against internalised stigma or shame.


DBT’s combination of acceptance and change makes it particularly effective for LGBT clients, offering a compassionate framework for navigating complex emotional experiences.

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