Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

Prime Path Psychology provides professional Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), a structured, evidence-based talk therapy designed for individuals who experience emotions very intensely. While DBT is widely recognised as a first-line treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD), it is also effective for a range of other mental health conditions.

DBT Adelaide clinicians at Prime Path Psychology focus on teaching practical skills to help individuals manage intense emotions, cope with challenging situations, and improve relationships. Central to DBT is the integration of mindfulness practices into everyday life.

Conditions Treated with DBT

DBT has been shown to be effective for managing conditions including:

  • Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Substance Use Disorder
  • Depression
  • Anxiety (including Generalised Anxiety Disorder)
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Suicidal behaviour
  • Eating disorders (including anorexia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and bulimia nervosa)

These conditions are often associated with difficulties regulating intense emotions. DBT therapy supports individuals in developing healthier coping strategies rather than relying on ineffective or harmful attempts to control emotions.

DBT Skills Training

DBT skills are taught to enhance everyday functioning and emotional resilience. The four core skills include:

  1. Mindfulness – Teaches awareness and focus on the present moment. It helps reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress by encouraging clients to stay grounded rather than ruminating on past events or worrying about the future.
  2. Distress Tolerance – Managing emotions during high-stress or crisis situations without engaging in harmful behaviours. Includes crisis survival skills and acceptance strategies.
  3. Interpersonal Effectiveness – Communicate assertively while maintaining healthy relationships. Skills include expressing needs, setting boundaries, and resolving conflicts in personal, family, or work contexts.
  4. Emotion Regulation – Understand, identify, and manage intense emotions more effectively. Improves emotional regulation, reducing vulnerability to negative experiences and supporting positive emotional functioning.

DBT-Informed Therapy

DBT-informed therapy applies the principles and skills of DBT without requiring the full, standard program. At Prime Path Psychology, this allows integration of key DBT techniques into individual therapy sessions tailored to each client’s needs. This approach is suitable for individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, mood disorders, trauma, or life stressors, providing structured, skill-based support while remaining flexible.

DBT Therapy at Prime Path Psychology

Our DBT psychologists in Adelaide are credentialed by the Australian DBT Institute, demonstrating expertise in this evidence-based approach. DBT-informed therapy sessions are one-to-one and integrate the core DBT skills of mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotion regulation.

While not standard DBT — which typically involves intensive individual therapy, group skills training, phone coaching, and team consultation — our approach maintains the same philosophical and treatment principles, ensuring clients receive structured and effective DBT counselling.

Sessions are available in-person at our Adelaide clinic or via telehealth across Australia.

Booking a DBT Session

Contact us to book an appointment with one of our experienced DBT therapists and start learning practical skills to manage emotions, improve relationships, and enhance daily functioning.