Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Groups

What is DBT?

Strong emotions are part of being human. At times, however, emotions such as anxiety, sadness, anger or shame can feel especially intense, arrive very quickly, or become difficult to manage.

For some people, this can lead to feeling overwhelmed, becoming caught in unhelpful patterns, or relying on coping strategies that provide short-term relief but create difficulties over time.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based form of psychological therapy designed to help people understand and manage intense emotions, respond differently in difficult moments, and build healthier, more effective ways of relating to themselves and others.

A central aim of DBT is not simply to reduce behaviours that are causing distress. It is also about developing the skills, confidence and awareness needed to build a life that feels meaningful, fulfilling and worth living.

Who is DBT for?

DBT can be particularly helpful for people who find emotions difficult to regulate, experience rapid shifts in mood, struggle in relationships, or use coping behaviours that no longer serve them well.

DBT was originally developed for people with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and significant emotional dysregulation, but its principles and skills are now used to support a much broader range of psychological difficulties.

These can include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Eating disorders
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Self-harm
• Suicidal thoughts or behaviours
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Difficult or intense relationships
• Significant mood changes
• Difficulties with alcohol or substance use

You do not need to have a particular diagnosis to benefit from DBT. What matters most is whether the approach is appropriate for the difficulties you are experiencing and the changes you would like to make.

What can you expect from the DBT programme?

Before joining the programme, you will have an assessment with one of our experienced DBT clinicians.

This provides an opportunity for us to understand what you are currently experiencing, the support you are looking for and what you would like to gain from therapy. It also gives you the chance to ask questions about DBT, how the programme works and what participation involves.

Following the assessment, our clinical team will consider whether DBT is the most appropriate approach for your needs.

If DBT is recommended, you will then attend between one and four pre-treatment sessions. These sessions are designed to help you become familiar with the DBT model and prepare for the programme.

During this stage, you will begin identifying your therapy goals, learn about the Biosocial Model of emotional dysregulation and explore how DBT principles may apply to your own experiences.

From there, the focus shifts towards learning and practising new skills.

The DBT Skills Programme

The London Practice offers a structured DBT programme made up of three eight-week skills modules.

Depending on the outcome of your assessment, the programme may also include individual DBT sessions and phone coaching alongside the skills group.

The three core modules are:

Distress Tolerance

Distress Tolerance focuses on how to navigate difficult or highly emotional situations without making things worse.

You will learn practical skills to help you tolerate distress, manage urges and respond to challenging situations in ways that are more effective and aligned with your longer-term goals.

Emotion Regulation

Emotion Regulation focuses on understanding your emotions more clearly and learning how to influence them.

You will develop greater awareness of what you are feeling, what may be contributing to those emotions and how to reduce vulnerability to becoming overwhelmed by them.

Interpersonal Effectiveness

Interpersonal Effectiveness focuses on navigating relationships with greater confidence and clarity.

You will learn skills to help you ask for what you need, set boundaries, say no when necessary, manage conflict and maintain both your relationships and your self-respect.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is woven throughout each DBT module.

These skills are designed to help you notice thoughts, emotions and urges with greater awareness, stay connected to the present moment and respond more intentionally rather than automatically.

Over time, mindfulness can help create more space between what you feel and how you choose to act.

When does the group take place?

The DBT skills group runs online via Zoom every Wednesday from 6:00pm to 7:30pm.

Phone Coaching

Phone coaching is a distinctive part of comprehensive DBT and is designed to help you use your skills outside therapy sessions, when you need them most.

Rather than being a crisis service, phone coaching provides brief, in-the-moment guidance to help you apply DBT skills to real-life situations and gradually become more confident using them independently.

Where phone coaching forms part of your treatment plan, your therapist will explain how it works and how best to use it alongside your wider DBT programme.

Is DBT right for you?

DBT requires active participation, curiosity and a willingness to practise skills both inside and outside sessions.

You do not need to arrive already knowing how to manage difficult emotions or situations. The programme is designed to help you build these abilities gradually, with structure and support.

If you think DBT may be helpful, our team can talk you through the programme and arrange an initial assessment to explore whether it is the right fit for you.

Ready to take the next step?

Get in touch with The London Practice to enquire about the next DBT intake or to arrange an initial assessment.