Dialectal Behaviour Group Therapy

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Illustration of two individuals in a counseling session, with one person actively listening, symbolizing a therapeutic conversation.

Dialectal Behaviour Therapy

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, or DBT, is an evidence-based therapy approach that helps people build practical skills to manage emotions, cope with distress, improve relationships, and respond more effectively to life’s challenges.

Our DBT skills groups are structured, supportive, and practical. They focus on helping participants learn skills across four core areas:

Mindfulness: learning to slow down, notice what is happening, and respond with more awareness.

Distress Tolerance: learning how to get through difficult moments without making things worse.

Emotion Regulation: understanding emotions, reducing emotional vulnerability, and building strategies to manage intense feelings.

Interpersonal Effectiveness: learning how to communicate needs, set boundaries, manage conflict, and maintain self-respect in relationships.

DBT is based on the balance between acceptance and change. This means learning to validate where you are now, while also building new ways of coping and relating.

What can I expect in a DBT group?

Each group session is structured and skills-focused. Participants can expect a warm, respectful, and supportive environment where the focus is on learning and practising strategies, rather than being placed on the spot or expected to share personal details before they feel ready.

Sessions generally include:

  • a brief check-in

  • psychoeducation about the skill being taught

  • practical examples of how the skill applies in real life

  • guided in-session practice

  • group discussion throughout 

  • between-session practice to help strengthen the skill

You do not need to be “good at therapy” or already know how to manage emotions to join. DBT is about learning step-by-step, practising consistently, and building a personalised coping toolkit over time.

What will I get out of DBT group?

The goal of DBT group is to help you build a practical set of skills you can use outside the therapy room.

Over time, participants may develop greater confidence in:

  • noticing emotions before they escalate

  • calming the body during distress

  • responding rather than reacting

  • communicating more clearly

  • setting boundaries

  • managing conflict

  • reducing avoidance or impulsive coping

  • making choices that align with personal values

  • building a life that feels more stable, meaningful, and manageable

DBT is not about becoming perfect. It is about learning skills, practising them, and slowly building more choice in difficult moments.

Booking an Appointment

Booking your appointment is easy, call us on 33936065 or book online by following the link below.

Book an appointment

Frequently Asked Questions about DBT Group Therapy

  • Our DBT groups are intentionally small, with approximately 4-6 participants per group.

    This allows the group to feel more personal, supported, and safe, while still offering the benefits of learning alongside others who may experience similar challenges.

  • DBT groups are available in person. There is an option for Telehealth for those who live in rural areas.

    Groups run year-round depending on client interest and availability. Expressions of interest are welcome at any time, and we will contact you when a suitable group becomes available.

  • Yes. In fact, DBT skills groups are most effective when completed alongside individual therapy.

    The group provides structured skills training, while individual therapy gives you space to apply those skills to your own life, relationships, emotions, patterns, and goals. This combination is often considered the gold-standard way to engage in DBT-informed treatment.

    You may continue seeing your current individual psychologist while attending group, or you may discuss individual therapy options with our clinic.

  • You do not need a new Mental Health Care Plan to attend a DBT group privately. However, if you would like to access Medicare rebates for eligible group sessions, you will need a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral from your GP, psychiatrist, or paediatrician.

    Under Medicare, eligible clients can access up to 10 individual mental health sessions and 10 group mental health sessions per calendar year. These are separate allocations, meaning group sessions do not use up your individual therapy sessions.

    If you already have a Mental Health Treatment Plan, this will already allow you to access rebates for the 10 group sessions. However, if your referral letter specifically states it is for individual sessions only, you may need to return to your GP for a review to obtain an updated referral that includes group therapy.

  • DBT skills groups may be helpful for people who experience:

    • intense or overwhelming emotions

    • anxiety, stress, or emotional shutdown

    • difficulty coping during conflict

    • impulsive reactions or urges

    • relationship difficulties

    • difficulty setting boundaries or asking for needs to be met

    • patterns of avoidance, withdrawal, or people-pleasing

    • self-criticism or shame

    • difficulty calming down once emotions escalate

    • feeling stuck in unhelpful coping patterns

    DBT can be particularly helpful for people who feel emotions strongly, experience relationship stress, or want practical tools to manage distress more effectively.

  • A formal diagnosis is not required to participate. DBT skills can be helpful for a wide range of people who want to better understand their emotions, improve coping strategies, and strengthen relationships.

    Before joining, we may complete a brief intake or suitability discussion to ensure the group is the right fit for your needs and goals.

  • No. While DBT was originally developed for people experiencing chronic emotion dysregulation and patterns associated with Borderline Personality Disorder, DBT skills are now used more broadly to support people with a range of emotional, behavioural, and relational difficulties.

    Many people benefit from DBT skills even if they do not have a diagnosis.

  • No. DBT skills groups are not trauma-processing groups, and participants are not expected to disclose personal trauma or share details they are uncomfortable discussing.

    The focus is on learning practical skills and applying them to everyday life. You are welcome to participate at a level that feels appropriate and safe for you.

  • Feeling nervous before joining a group is very common. Many people worry about what they will need to say, whether they will fit in, or whether they will feel overwhelmed.

    Our groups are small, structured, and supportive. You will not be expected to share more than you feel comfortable with, and the focus is on learning skills rather than analysing each participant in front of the group.

    We are available for contact prior to group sessions starting to answer any questions and request you may have that may support you to feel more comfortable.

  • You can contact the clinic to register your interest in an upcoming DBT skills group.

    We will discuss your needs, availability, preference for in-person or telehealth attendance, and whether DBT group is likely to be a helpful fit for you at this time.

  • DBT sessions will be held with Alannah Konners our Clinical Psychologist Registrar.

    Each session will cost $70. Clients are entitled to a Medicare rebate if they have a mental health care plan. The Medicare rebate for group sessions is $34.40

  • To book an appointment call us on 33936065 or book online by following the link below.