Building a life worth living.

Master the skills to cope with life by balancing acceptance with change

Need Support?

Master coping skills

Adelaide DBT runs therapeutic programmes which may help you master the skills to cope with life by balancing acceptance with change.

Manage the challenges

Our team of experienced clinicians can help you learn to deal with difficult emotions and experiences that may assist you with surviving anything life sends your way.

A life worth living

We understand that life is difficult and we will help you build your own confidence in your ability to achieve your life aspirations. DBT has been associated with increase life satisfaction in studies.

What is DBT?

DBT is a modified version of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and works from the assumption that the way that we think, feel and behave is all interconnected and can influence one-another. DBT focuses on helping people understand and manage their emotions.

DBT is an evidence based program for difficulties with:

  • Intense emotions or difficulty managing emotional reactions
  • Difficult or unstable relationships (e.g., family, partner, friends or colleagues)
  • Low self-esteem
  • Feelings of hopelessness (including feeling suicidal or self-harming)
  • Impulsive reactions
  • ADHD/ADD
  • Alcohol and other drug problems
  • Poor relationships with food and body image (e.g., overeating, dieting/restricting)
  • Chronic depression
  • Chronic anxiety
  • Anger issues

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based therapy for people who experience intense emotions and have difficulty coping with them. DBT was originally designed to treat people who have unhealthy coping (such as self-harm, substance use, hopelessness/avoidance), however there is evidence that DBT can improve life satisfaction and mood for a variety of clinical concerns. DBT is an established evidence-based therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder, with evidence that it is effective in the treatment of eating disorders, post traumatic stress disorder, substance use and other complex clinical disorders. There is also growing evidence for DBT-based approaches in ADHD, particularly for adults experiencing emotion dysregulation and difficulties with day-to-day functioning.

There are four core skills within DBT: Mindfulness; Emotional Regulation; Interpersonal Effectiveness; and Distress Tolerance. By developing skills in each of these areas, you will learn how to manage and control emotions.

Have a look at our What to Expect section for information on how DBT is structured.

We are here to help

We understand that sometimes therapy can be daunting. Our team is approachable and is here to help!

What we can provide

Our skills groups are held in an educational format. During groups, our clinicians will provide you with information on a variety of skills to help you understand yourself and your experiences, how to cope with your emotions, and how to improve your behaviour (if it needs improvement). These skills are talked about quite specifically, however the format of DBT is designed for clients to engage in individual therapy so they have a personalised opportunity to discuss how to apply these skills to their life. Therefore it is expected that clients engage in individual therapy with one of our psychologists.

We provide phone coaching between sessions (during DBT Skills Group), so if you are struggling or experience a crisis we are on-call to talk you through the situation and aid in you in applying your developing DBT skills.

Terms & Conditions, Feedback and Complaints

Terms and Conditions

Adelaide DBT operates in accordance with the Psychology Board of Australia's Registration Standards and Code of Ethics. Our full Terms and Conditions can be accessed here.

Of particular note is our Cancellation Policy, which requires notice of changes or cancellations prior to 5pm two business days before the appointment. Where insufficient notice is provided, the full fee will be charged. This fee cannot be claimed under Medicare or private health insurance.

Feedback and Complaints

We are committed to providing a high quality service, and your feedback — both positive and negative — is important to us and helps us to continuously improve.

If you have any feedback, please don't hesitate to contact us by phone or email. If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of the care or service provided, we encourage you to raise this with us directly so that we can work to resolve the matter.

If you feel your concern has not been adequately addressed, you have the right to contact the Psychology Board of Australia via AHPRA at www.ahpra.gov.au or by phoning 1300 419 495.