Group Skills Training Program
What is Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)?
Everyone struggles from time to time with their mental health and relationships. However, for some people, these struggles are experienced much more severely and frequently, to the point where it fundamentally undermines their wellbeing and appears to be part of who they are. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) was developed to assist those who experience extreme difficulty in relationships, decision-making and emotion regulation. DBT, as created by Marsha Linehan, is best known for assisting those with Borderline Personality Disorder. Alongside this however, it has also been found to be effective for those experiencing emotional dysregulation, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Clinical Depression and addiction. It can also be highly beneficial for people who experience self-harm urges or suicidal thoughts and feelings.
DBT is an evidence based treatment with a heavy emphasis on behaviour change through use of skills. These skills have been found to enhance problem solving capacity, modify interpretations, and moderate emotional responses. They can also enhance a person’s capacity to find acceptance in challenging circumstances. The skills within DBT are comprised across four main modules:
- Core Mindfulness
- Emotional Regulation
- Distress Tolerance
- Interpersonal Effectiveness
DBT Group Program
Laburnum Psychology will be conducting a 12-week skills training program that progresses through the modules of DBT, and provide psychoeducation around their successful implementation. The program will follow the following structure throughout the 12-week program:
- 1x content session per week – 2 hours in length
- 1x individual check-in session per week – 1 hour in length
What is the difference between the group content session and the individual check-in session?
Group sessions focus on psychoeducation of the skills taught in DBT and follow a classroom format. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from each other’s experiences, and will also have space to share their own as it relates to the content. The two facilitators of the group will be in a position to interact with group members, answer questions, and ensure a safe and calm space for participants to learn the skills.
Individual sessions form an important component of DBT. These sessions afford the opportunity to apply insights with greater tailoring each participant’s circumstances. These sessions follow a more traditional therapeutic service between practitioner and client. The focus of these sessions are to manage unhelpful behaviours as they occur in one’s life, manage risk-based behaviour, work towards identified goals, and work towards applications of skills learned into one’s everyday life.
Where can I book to become a participant in the program?
Laburnum Psychology has an intake process where prospective participants can apply. Group numbers are limited, so in the instance that the forthcoming group is fully booked, eligible participants can be put on a waiting list for the next available group. To enquire, or for further information regarding group commencement dates and up-to-date cost, please call Laburnum Psychology on (03) 9877 9179.
Do I need a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) referral from a GP?
A MHCP is not required to attend the groups. These groups are run by provisional psychologists who are completing their internship, and will consequently be run at a reduced cost that forgoes the need for a MHCP.
What does the structure of the DBT program look like?
The breakdown of content covered in the 12-week DBT program is:
Mindfulness – 2 weeks
- Introduction to DBT, Goals of DBT, Introduction to Mindfulness, and States of Mind
- What and How Skills of Mindfulness
Emotional Regulation – 4 weeks
- Goals of Emotional Regulation, Understanding and Naming Emotions, and Model of Emotions
- Checking the Facts, Opposite Action, and Problem solving
- ABC PLEASE Skills
- Mindfulness of Current Emotion, Managing Extreme Emotions, Troubleshooting Emotional Regulation Skills
Distress Tolerance – 4 weeks
- Goals of Distress Tolerance, Crisis Survival Skills, STOP Skill, Pro’s and Con’s, TIPP Skill
- Distracting: ACCEPTS, Improving the Moment, Self-soothing
- Radical Acceptance and Turning the Mind
- Willingness and Willfulness, Mindfulness of Current Thoughts
Interpersonal Effectiveness – 2 weeks
- Goals for Interpersonal Effectiveness; DEARMAN GIVE FAST Skills, Mindfulness of Others
- Dialectics, Validation and Self-validation
Laburnum Psychology: Servicing Melbourne with DBT Therapy and Groups
Fluctuating emotions are part of the human experience, and it can be entirely normal for a person to feel extreme emotions various times life. However, some people experience emotional extremes more regularly than others, to the point where it can undermine many other areas of a their daily functioning. For these people, DBT, or Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, can assist in the repair and healthy management of emotions and associated behaviours. Taking the time to visit a DBT psychologist can help those who are struggling with their mental health to prioritize their well-being and take a positive step towards learning helpful skills of emotional regulation.
Operating out of Melbourne’s east, Laburnum Psychology is offering DBT groups for people who are experiencing difficulties with emotional regulation, and some of the difficulties this can bring in relationships. We offer counselling therapies for a wide range of issues and difficulties such as couples therapy, depression counselling and PTSD counselling.We seek to support people to learn new insights and strategies to find greater peace and contentment in their lives.
Laburnum Psychology DBT for Melbourne and Beyond
When it comes to making a real difference with DBT therapy, Melbourne is home to many highly qualified and skilled therapists. Laburnum Psychology has invested heavily in recruiting a team of excellent psychologists. This positions us strongly to be able to help people with a range of different types of difficulties. Through building a strong and diverse team, we are able to pair our clients with professionals who are most likely to have the expertise required to make a difference.
We have also taken the opportunity to invest in new tech services that expand and improve our general accessibility. Thanks to Telehealth, our clients can now schedule and attend appointments remotely instead of feeling under pressure to travel to our Melbourne clinic. This can be an excellent way of overcoming a variety of barriers that otherwise prevent people from coming to therapy. We have found that this level of flexibility has assisted clients to proactively self-manage their mental health care, leading to positive outcomes.
More than Your Standard DBT Psychologist: Melbourne is focussing on high quality Mental Health Care
While finances can create obstacles to accessing treatment, it is also fair to say that good mental health is priceless. For this reason, Laburnum Psychology have aimed to keep their fees fair and moderate. We know that it can be difficult to afford the costs of mental health care. We work hard to deliver high quality services while also being mindful of maximising efficiencies and effectiveness. Read More
How Dialectical Behaviour Therapy with a DBT Psychologist in Melbourne Can Benefit You
Mental health and relationship challenges are something many people grapple. For some individuals, these difficulties manifest more frequently and intensely, profoundly impacting their overall wellbeing and becoming an intrinsic part of their lives. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), pioneered by Marsha Linehan, was developed to aid those confronting severe obstacles in managing decision-making, relationships and regulating emotions. While DBT is most renowned for helping individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), there is also demonstrated its effectiveness in addressing anxiety, depression, and addiction. Seeking guidance from a DBT psychologist in Melbourne offers those struggling with their mental health an opportunity to prioritise their wellbeing and embark on a positive path toward healing.
DBT is a form of talk therapy that draws from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) but is tailored for individuals experiencing intense emotions. The objective of DBT includes gaining insight into and embracing challenging emotions, acquiring techniques to effectively manage these emotions. DBT ultimately aims to enable you to institute positive changes in your life. The term ‘dialectical’ involves the process of comprehending how two seemingly opposite ideas can coexist. For instance, the notions of self-acceptance and behavioural change may appear contradictory, however, DBT teaches that it is feasible to achieve both objectives at the same time.
Are You Seeking a DBT Psychologist in Melbourne?
DBT is more likely to be effective for you if you are dedicated to instigating intentional self-improvement and when your primary focus is on your present and future, as opposed to dwelling on your past. There are four fundamental sets of skills that you will work on to assist in problem solving and addressing various issues: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation and interpersonal skills.
At Laburnum Psychology, we are proud to provide accessible DBT in Melbourne. We provide an extensive range of services designed to help clients acquire skills to navigate high-stress periods and effectively address the impact of mental health conditions on their lives. By offering an array of services, including schema therapy, DBT, and CBT, we can match our clients with professionals who possess the specific expertise needed to make a meaningful difference, rather than relying on availability alone.
Quality DBT for Melbourne and Beyond
Established in 2009 by Kylie and Tim, our Practice Principals, Laburnum Psychology has grown into a large team of experienced psychologists, Taking that initial step toward seeking support can be challenging, but you’re not alone. Our client-focused approach meets you where you are, tailoring support to your unique situation. For those who live rurally, or who may not be able to attend in person sessions straight away due to various barriers, we can offer telehealth appointments to ensure these obstacles do not prevent you from accessing help. If you’re looking to make positive changes in your life and relationships, don’t hesitate to reach out to us or fill out our online enquiry form. Consulting a DBT psychologist in Melbourne is a significant step toward a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling life.