Dialectical Behaviour Therapy in BC | DBT Therapy for Emotional Regulation
Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is a highly effective treatment for managing intense emotions, reducing self-harm, and improving relationships. Our BCACC-registered therapists in BC offer comprehensive DBT therapy online throughout British Columbia for adults, teens, and families struggling with emotional regulation challenges.
DBT therapy combines individual counselling with skills training to help you handle distressing situations, communicate more effectively, and build a life worth living.
Whether you're dealing with borderline personality disorder, suicidal thoughts, anger management issues, or impulsive behaviours, dialectical behaviour therapy provides practical tools and ongoing support. Accessible from anywhere in BC, including Vancouver, Victoria, Prince Rupert, and beyond, our online DBT program makes evidence-based treatment convenient and effective.
What is Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical behaviour therapy is a structured, evidence-based approach originally developed to treat borderline personality disorder but now recognized as effective for many emotional and behavioural challenges.
The word "dialectical" refers to balancing opposites. In DBT therapy, you learn to accept yourself as you are while simultaneously working to change unhelpful patterns. This approach recognizes that you're doing the best you can AND you need to do better, that your feelings are valid AND you need to manage them differently.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, DBT therapy is highly structured and skills-focused, giving you concrete tools you can use immediately when emotions feel overwhelming. The combination of individual therapy sessions and group skills training ensures you receive both personalized support and practical techniques you can practice with others facing similar challenges.
How DBT Differs from Other Approaches:
While Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) focuses primarily on changing thoughts and behaviours, DBT therapy adds an essential component: acceptance. Dialectical behaviour therapy recognizes that some pain in life can't be eliminated, only managed differently.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, where you might spend sessions exploring your past, DBT is action-oriented and skills-focused, giving you practical tools to use between sessions when emotions escalate. The structured group skills training component also sets DBT apart - you learn alongside others facing similar struggles, which reduces isolation and provides peer support.
DBT therapy requires more commitment than many other approaches, with both individual and group sessions each week, but this intensive structure is exactly what makes it effective for people with severe emotional dysregulation.
If you need immediate, practical skills to manage crisis situations and life-threatening behaviours, dialectical behaviour therapy offers more structured support than less intensive therapies. However, if your challenges are less severe or you prefer less structured, exploratory therapy, approaches like psychodynamic therapy or general counselling might be better suited to your needs.
How DBT Therapy Works: Individual Sessions and Skills Training
DBT is a therapy that combines cognitive-behavioural techniques. It includes one individual session and one skills group session each week for at least 6 months. In the skills group, you will learn:
Mindfulness: Stay present and focused.
Emotional Regulation: Manage your emotions.
Interpersonal Skills: Communicate effectively and build relationships.
Distress Tolerance: Handle emotional pain.
In your individual DBT therapy sessions, you'll work one-on-one with your therapist to apply these skills to your specific challenges, address barriers to using the skills, and work toward your personal goals. The combination of learning skills in a group setting and applying them with individual support makes dialectical behaviour therapy uniquely effective for lasting change.
Who Benefits from Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
DBT therapy is helpful for anyone who experiences intense emotions that feel difficult to control. While originally developed for adults with borderline personality disorder, dialectical behaviour therapy is now widely recognized as effective for teens and adults who haven't found success with other therapies. It works well for:
Borderline Personality Disorder
Suicidal thoughts or actions
Self-harm
Anger management issues
Intense sadness or anxiety
Impulsive, risky behaviours
Difficulty with relationships
Feelings of emptiness
Substance use problems
Eating disorders
Whether you're a teen struggling with emotional ups and downs, an adult dealing with longstanding patterns of instability, or a parent seeking support for your child, DBT therapy provides the structure and skills needed to manage emotions effectively. Our therapists in BC work with individuals at all stages of life who are ready to commit to the structured program dialectical behaviour therapy requires.
Duration of DBT Therapy
DBT treatment typically lasts 6 months to 1 year, depending on the individual.
Start DBT Therapy in BC Today
Ready to learn the skills that will help you manage intense emotions and build a life worth living? Our DBT-trained therapists offer dialectical behaviour therapy online throughout British Columbia, making this evidence-based treatment accessible whether you're in Vancouver, Surrey, Victoria, Kelowna, or anywhere across BC.
We work with teens and adults who are committed to the structured DBT program, and we accept CVAP, ICBC, and WorkBC claims. Services are available in English and Portuguese.
Take the first step toward emotional balance and healthier relationships. Book your DBT therapy assessment today and discover how dialectical behaviour therapy can transform your life.
Terapia Comportamental Dialética (DBT) disponível em português.