Last updated Aug 11, 2021 by 
Dr. Sheri Jacobson
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) in London
What is DBT?
Dialectical behaviour therapy is a type of therapy that combines standard cognitive behavioural techniques with concepts derived from Buddhist meditative practice. DBT was developed to treat people with borderline personality disorder and indeed, is the first therapy that has been demonstrated to be effective for treating this disorder.
DBT emphasises the following four skills:
- Core mindfulness
- Interpersonal effectiveness
- Emotion modulation
- Distress tolerance.
The aim of DBT is to create a practical way to help those who otherwise may remain resistant to treatment. DBT is a hybrid approach consisting of elements such as cognitive behavioural therapy (with the emphasis on the here and now), dialectical thinking (emphasising the limitations of linear ideas), Zen Buddhism (with the key concept of mindfulness) and metaphorical thinking (with the goal of viewing the situations practically).
What does DBT look like in practice?
DBT accepts and works with the fact that some people, due to environment and/or biology, react abnormally to emotional stimulation. Their levels of arousal rise very quickly and peak at a higher level than the average individual, because due to their past experiences they do not have a method of coping with these intense and often sudden surges of emotion. DBT targets behaviours in a descending hierarchy in the following order:
- Decreasing high-risk suicidal behaviours
- Decreasing responses or behaviours that interfere with therapy
- Decreasing behaviours that interfere with quality of life
- Decreasing and dealing with post traumatic stress responses
- Enhancing respect for self
- Acquisition of the behavioural skills in group therapy (four shown above)
- Additional goals set by patient.
By following this structure, therapy sessions are less likely to be disrupted by patient behaviours and concerns.
What can DBT help with?
DBT is effective in treating patients with borderline personality disorder. It is also effective in treating people who suffer with ‘spectrum mood disorders’, including self-harm. Recent research also suggests its effective use in treating people with chemical dependencies and sexual abuse survivors.
Dialectical behaviour therapy is one of the types offered by therapists at Harley Therapy in addition to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). It is often recommended for borderline personality disorder, self-harm, addictions and sexual abuse issues.
Further reading
- Compassion for Borderline Personality Disorder - How to treat someone with BPD?
- Personality disorders - types, symptoms and treatment
TRUSTED SOURCE
NHS
The NHS (National Health Service) is the UK's government run medical service. Their website is written and reviewed by medical experts.
TRUSTED SOURCE
The UK Council for Psychotherapy
The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is the UK’s leading organisation for psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. It regulates and registers trained and trainee counsellors.
TRUSTED SOURCE
The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) is an association for UK-based counselling professionals. It supports practitioners, enabling them to provide a better service.
https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-us/about-bacp/
https://www.professionalstandards.org.uk/what-we-do/accredited-registers/find-a-register/detail/british-association-for-counselling-psychotherapy
report link broken or inaccurate
TRUSTED SOURCE
The BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is the UK’s national radio and TV broadcaster. It’s the world’s largest, with 35,402 staff and 28 operating languages.
TRUSTED SOURCE
MIND
Mind is a mental health charity covering England and Wales. It offers support to people with mental health problems and lobbies local and national governments.
TRUSTED SOURCE
Turning Point
Turning Point is a UK charity and social enterprise which works in the mental health, learning disabilities, substance abuse, criminal justice and employment areas.
TRUSTED SOURCE
The Mental Health Foundation
The Mental Health Foundation is a UK charity which helps people to understand, protect and improve their mental health.
TRUSTED SOURCE
Young Minds
Young Minds is a UK charity which works to improve the mental health of children and young people by providing appropriate support and resources.
TRUSTED SOURCE
Wikipedia
Wikipedia is an online encyclopaedia that’s written and maintained by a global volunteer community. It’s the largest-ever reference work and receives 1.7 unique visitors monthly.
How to book your session
Call us now on 0345 474 1724 OR
All of our practitioners are qualified and accredited with reputable professional associations for counselling and psychotherapy.
CITE THIS PAGE
MLA
Harley Therapy Ltd. “Dialectical Behavioural Therapy in London • DBT Counselling”. Harley Therapy, 11 Aug. 2021, https://www.harleytherapy.co.uk/dialectical-behaviour-therapy-london.htm. Accessed 18 Sep. 2021.
APA
Harley Therapy Ltd. (2021, August 11). Dialectical Behavioural Therapy in London • DBT Counselling. Retrieved from https://www.harleytherapy.co.uk/dialectical-behaviour-therapy-london.htm
CHICAGO
Harley Therapy Ltd. "Dialectical Behavioural Therapy in London • DBT Counselling." Last modified August 11, 2021. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://www.harleytherapy.co.uk/dialectical-behaviour-therapy-london.htm.
Issues for DBT
- Borderline personality disorder
- Self-harm
- Addictions
- Sexual abuse issues
Experts in DBT available in London
 (1).png)
 (1).png)
 (1).png)
.png)
.png)
DBT is a talking therapy for people who are often overwhelmed by feelings. It helps the person understand and accept their feelings, learn to manage them and make positive changes.
DBT and CBT both help patients to recognise and change unhelpful ways of thinking, but DBT helps the patient to accept themselves for having negative thoughts in the first place.
A dialectical behavioural therapist helps the patient to recognise and improve their negative thought patterns and also to accept that having these thoughts doesn’t make them a bad person.
During a DBT session, the patient brings their “feelings diary” so that they can, together with their therapist, analyse it for patterns of thought and behaviour that they can improve.
