Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based psychotherapy designed to help individuals who experience intense emotions. The term ‘dialectical’ refers to the concept of balancing opposing ideas. This means acknowledging that seemingly contradictory viewpoints can both be valid, even if they appear to conflict. When we struggle to reconcile opposing thoughts, it can create emotional distress and potentially relationship breakdown. That’s why DBT seeks to teach individuals the necessary skills to accept these truths and develop healthier coping strategies.
Group therapy, led by two psychologists, involves a group of 5 – 10 people in working towards a shared goal. This goal may focus on emotional growth, social development, skill-building or achieving specific objectives. DBT for adolescents often includes goals like building coping skills, interpersonal skills, conflict management and perspective taking skills. While individual therapy can also address these goals, group therapy offers unique benefits, such as providing the opportunity to learn from others’ experiences, reduce stigma, and foster a sense of community and support among peers.
Advantages of DBT
- No blame model
- No prior learning needed
- Establishes a growth mindset
- Improve relationships
- Improve communication
- Learn to manage conflict
- Targets challenging behaviour
- Improves mood
Who is it useful for?
Group DBT for adolescents is useful for any family that experiences:
- Impulsive/disruptive behaviours
- Frequent mood swings
- Self-injurious and suicidal behaviours
- Depression and anxiety
- Family and peer conflict
- Anger outbursts
- Poor coping skills
What skills does DBT consist of?
- Mindfulness – to better remain in the present
- Emotional Regulation – to cope with elevated emotions
- Distress Tolerance – to better manage the peaks and lows of emotions
- Interpersonal Effectiveness – to promote healthy communication
- Walking the Middle Path (For adolescents only) – to understand dialectical thinking
We have an upcoming group-based DBT for adolescents aged 13-15 years at Bowyer Psychology. Please contact our friendly administration team to express your interest, and we will get in touch to determine your child’s eligibility for the group therapy.
If you can answer yes to these four questions, then this DBT group may be the right fit for you.
- Are you able to fully commit to therapy and engage in homework tasks?
- Are you ready to focus on learning new skills to improve your overall wellbeing?
- Do you feel able to do sessions in a group with others?
- Are you and your child willing to actively participate in group sessions?
*Please note that DBT for adolescents is not family therapy but is a skills-based group.
