Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)

What is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)?

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy that focuses on helping individuals manage intense emotions and build healthier relationships. Originally developed to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD), DBT has since been adapted for other mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.

How Does DBT Work?

DBT combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices. It is structured around four core skills:

  • Mindfulness: Learning to be present in the moment and fully aware of thoughts, feelings, and surroundings.
  • Distress Tolerance: Building skills to tolerate pain or distressing situations without engaging in harmful behaviors.
  • Emotion Regulation: Learning how to manage and change intense emotions that are causing problems.
  • Interpersonal Effectiveness: Improving communication and relationship skills to maintain healthy boundaries and reduce conflict.

Benefits of DBT

DBT has been shown to be highly effective in reducing self-destructive behaviors, improving emotional regulation, and fostering healthier relationships. Some key benefits include:

  • Increased emotional stability and self-awareness.
  • Better coping mechanisms for dealing with distress.
  • Improved relationships and communication skills.
  • Reduced impulsive or self-destructive behaviors.

What to Expect in DBT Sessions

DBT is typically delivered in a combination of individual therapy sessions and group skills training. Individual sessions focus on addressing personal challenges, while group sessions teach specific DBT skills that can be applied in everyday life. Homework and practice outside of sessions are essential components of the therapy.

Is DBT Right for You?

If you struggle with managing emotions, maintaining relationships, or engaging in self-harming behaviors, DBT may provide the skills you need to lead a more balanced and fulfilling life. Consulting with a DBT-trained therapist can help determine if this approach is right for you.

Therapists in Brighton & Hove

Browse our verified therapists — many work across a range of approaches and may be able to help.

Imogen Salt Brighton

Imogen Salt

Humanistic Psychotherapist

I offer one-to-one humanistic counselling, for adults and young people within the Brighton & Hove area. I prioritise face-to-face therapy, but offer online where needed. I am experienced, thoughtful, intuitive and warm.

NCPSAccredited
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Joana Miranda Brighton

Joana Miranda

Psychotherapeutic Counsellor

I believe that feeling genuinely heard, understood, and accepted can be an important part of the therapeutic process. I aim to create a warm, compassionate, and non-judgmental space where you can feel safe to explore whatever may be bringing you to counselling.I know that reaching out for support can feel daunting, so I strive to make our sessions feel welcoming and comfortable. You don't need to have everything figured out before you come to counselling. We can take things at your pace and explore what feels most important to you.I am naturally a good listener and bring empathy, curiosity, and openness to my work. My aim is to support you in developing a better understanding of yourself, your experiences, and the patterns that may be affecting your wellbeing and relationships.

NCPSAccredited
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Thaddeus Hickman Brighton

Thaddeus Hickman

Psychotherapist

I’m an experienced, integrative psychotherapist, registered with both UKCP and BACP. I work with clients to support their immediate struggles, while also helping them understand and identify underlying and often unseen issues - a process which often leads to positive and lasting change.

BACPRegisteredUKCPRegistered
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Cerrie Lantrua Brighton

Cerrie Lantrua

Counsellor

Clients often tell me how much they value having a space where they feel understood, where they don’t have to explain their neurodivergence or justify their experiences.I am neurodivergent myself, and I’m open about that. It’s not something I see as a limitation, but as something that shapes how I understand, relate, and connect. Alongside my training and experience, this gives me a way of seeing things that often helps clients feel recognised in ways they may not have experienced before.I’m naturally creative and tend to think outside the box, which allows me to consider different perspectives and gently step into what it might be like to be you, not from a place of judgement, but from a genuine willingness to understand.At the same time, I don’t assume your experience is the same as anyone else’s. No two people are the same. A big part of what I offer is taking the time to learn what you need, how you experience things, and what support feels right for you.You are the expert on yourself. My role isn’t to tell you what to do or who to be, but to walk alongside you as you begin to understand yourself more fully.I aim to create a space where you feel safe enough to be real. Where you don’t have to mask, filter, or find the “right” way to say things. A space where you can feel seen, heard, and genuinely understood. 

BACPRegistered
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Andy Wolage Brighton

Andy Wolage

Therapeutic Counsellor

Sometimes life is really hard. Everything feels like too much. We can get overwhelmed with guilt for not coping, shame for having failed in the past and sometimes we can end up not really liking ourselves very much. We might self medicate with substances or other behaviours which we know don't really help, but they seem better than nothing. But they just perpetuate the cycle. I can offer you a safe, non-judgemental and confidential space to organise and reframe those overwhelming feelings and see the wood for the trees. I can help you understand yourself better and to begin to look in the mirror and like what you see. 

BACPRegisteredNCPSAccredited
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Gabrielle Lake Mitchell Brighton

Gabrielle Lake Mitchell

Integrative Counsellor

Thinking about starting counselling and looking for a counsellor, can feel daunting. So I warmly welcome you to my profile and hope that you get in touch to see if I am the right counsellor for you. There are many reasons why people seek counselling. Perhaps you are feeling lonely or disconnected from the people around you? Perhaps you would like to talk to someone about making changes in your life? Maybe you are feeling stuck, anxious or depressed, and would like a little extra support to help you through a difficult time? Perhaps you can't quite put your finger on what is wrong, and would like somewhere to express yourself and make sense of your thoughts and feelings?Whatever brings you to counselling, I will endeavour to offer you a confidential and safe space, where you can talk and explore all of your thoughts and feelings, and express them freely without judgement or opinion. Counselling can be useful in helping you to gain insight and a fresh perspective. It can help you to gain understanding about yourself and others, or help to make sense of a problematic situation. It can help you move towards acceptance, emotional freedom and healthy psychological growth.

BACPRegistered
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