Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

The length of DBT treatment varies depending on each teen's unique needs and progress. However, most teens participate in our program for several months to a year to fully develop and integrate DBT skills into their daily lives.

We typically structure the program in phases:

• Initial assessment and goal-setting: 2-3 sessions
• Core skills development: 12-24 weekly sessions
• Integration and practice: 8-12 sessions (often spaced every other week)
• Maintenance and follow-up: As needed

Throughout the process, we continually assess progress and adjust the treatment plan based on each teen's individual needs and response to therapy.

Our DBT services may be covered through various funding options:

• NDIS: If your teen has an NDIS plan with appropriate funding categories, our services can be covered under the NDIS. We are a registered NDIS provider and can work with self-managed or plan-managed NDIS participants.
• Medicare: With a Mental Health Treatment Plan from a GP, clients can access a rebate for a limited number of sessions per calendar year.
• Private Health Insurance: Some private health insurance extras policies may provide coverage for psychology or counselling services. We recommend checking with your specific provider about their coverage options.

During your initial consultation, we can discuss these options in more detail and help you determine the most appropriate funding pathway for your situation.

Yes, DBT was originally developed specifically to help individuals who struggle with self-harm behaviours and suicidal thoughts. It has a strong evidence base for reducing these behaviours and helping teens develop healthier coping mechanisms.

DBT addresses these concerns through several key strategies:

• Teaching specific crisis survival skills to use during intense emotional distress
• Developing emotion regulation skills to reduce the intensity of painful emotions that often trigger self-harm
• Building distress tolerance skills to manage difficult situations without resorting to harmful behaviours
• Creating safety plans and identifying alternative coping strategies
• Addressing the underlying issues that contribute to self-harm and suicidal thoughts

For teens experiencing these serious concerns, we provide comprehensive support while working closely with other healthcare providers to ensure appropriate care and safety.

While DBT incorporates elements of CBT, it differs in several important ways:

• Emphasis on Dialectics: DBT balances change with acceptance, helping teens understand that seemingly contradictory perspectives can both be true. This "both/and" rather than "either/or" thinking is central to DBT.
• Mindfulness Focus: DBT places a much stronger emphasis on mindfulness skills derived from Eastern practices, teaching teens to be present in the moment without judgment.
• Validation: DBT strongly emphasizes validation of emotions and experiences, whereas traditional CBT focuses more on changing thoughts and behaviours.
• Skills Training: DBT includes a comprehensive skills training component with four specific modules (mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness).
• Relationship Focus: DBT places greater emphasis on the therapeutic relationship and interpersonal effectiveness skills.

While CBT focuses primarily on identifying and changing negative thought patterns, DBT combines change strategies with acceptance and mindfulness techniques, making it particularly effective for emotional dysregulation issues.

Yes, we strongly encourage and support parent/caregiver involvement in the DBT process. Family support is a crucial factor in a teen's success with DBT. We offer several ways for parents and caregivers to participate:

• Parent Education Sessions: Learn about DBT principles, skills, and how to support your teen's practice of these skills at home.
• Family Therapy Sessions: Joint sessions with the teen and family members to improve communication, practice skills together, and address family dynamics.
• Parent Coaching: Guidance on how to respond effectively to challenging behaviours and emotions, create a validating environment, and reinforce DBT skills.
• Regular Updates: With the teen's consent, we provide regular updates on treatment progress and areas where family support would be beneficial.
• Resources and Materials: We provide handouts, worksheets, and other resources to help parents understand and support the DBT process.

Research shows that family involvement significantly improves outcomes in teen DBT, so we work to create a collaborative approach that respects the teen's autonomy while incorporating valuable family support.