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Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based approach developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan to help individuals who experience intense emotions, difficulty with emotional regulation, or patterns of impulsive behaviours. Originally designed for individuals with borderline personality disorder, DBT has since been adapted for a wide range of mental health challenges.

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At Wellness Counselling Centre, we use DBT-informed techniques to help clients manage overwhelming emotions, improve relationships, and build coping skills for navigating life’s stressors with greater stability and self-awareness.

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How DBT Can Help

​DBT is highly effective for individuals struggling with:

• Emotional Dysregulation – Learning to manage intense or fluctuating emotions

• Anxiety & Depression – Developing tools to cope with distress and reduce reactivity

• Self-Harm or Suicidal Thoughts – Building safer coping strategies to manage emotional pain

• Interpersonal Conflict – Strengthening communication and boundary-setting skills

• Impulsive or Destructive Behaviours – Increasing awareness and control over urges

• Trauma & PTSD – Gaining tools to manage emotional triggers and rebuild emotional safety

• Perfectionism & Self-Criticism – Developing self-compassion and balance

DBT combines cognitive strategies with mindfulness and acceptance skills to support meaningful change.

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Who Can Benefit from DBT?

​DBT is a helpful therapy for individuals across different life stages, including:

• Teens & Young Adults – Learning emotional regulation, impulse control, and effective communication

• Adults Experiencing Intense Emotions – Building tools to manage reactivity, relationships, and self-worth

• Individuals with Trauma Histories – Supporting healing while promoting emotional safety

• Couples & Families – Improving understanding, communication, and emotional balance within relationships

• Parents or Caregivers – Supporting children or teens with big emotions while learning co-regulation strategies

 

DBT can be adapted to individual or family needs and is often used as part of a holistic treatment plan.

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What to Expect in DBT Therapy

​DBT sessions are both structured and skills-based, focusing on four core areas:

• Mindfulness – Staying present and aware of thoughts, emotions, and actions

• Distress Tolerance – Learning how to manage crisis situations without resorting to harmful behaviours

• Emotional Regulation – Building awareness and tools to shift overwhelming emotional responses

• Interpersonal Effectiveness – Enhancing communication, boundary-setting, and relationship skills

Through a combination of skill-building, self-reflection, and supportive therapeutic connection, DBT helps clients gain emotional control and resilience.

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Our Approach to DBT

At Wellness Counselling Centre, we integrate DBT techniques with complementary therapies, including:

• Internal Family Systems (IFS) – Exploring emotional parts that drive reactivity or shame

• Mindfulness-Based Therapy – Strengthening present-moment awareness and emotion regulation

• Somatic Therapy – Addressing the body’s role in emotional responses and regulation

• Narrative Therapy – Reframing difficult experiences and building personal meaning

• Trauma-Informed Therapy – Ensuring emotional safety while working with past experiences

 

DBT provides a structured, compassionate framework for individuals seeking greater emotional balance, clarity, and connection in their lives.

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Build Emotional Resilience & Self-Compassion

DBT helps individuals understand their emotions, manage distress, and improve their relationships through practical, evidence-based skills and self-awareness.