Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) in Calgary

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) in Calgary for Emotional Regulation and Relationship Stability

Are you or a loved one struggling with managing intense emotions or challenging, volatile relationships?

Many individuals face difficulties in regulating their emotions and coping with life’s stressors. This can lead them feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, and out of control. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) can help these individuals learn skills to navigate emotions with greater ease and confidence.

DBT is a highly structured form of psychotherapy that combines elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with mindfulness techniques.

Paige Ellis

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Devany Paxman

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Natasha Thibodeau

Registered Social Worker (She/Her)

What is DBT?

DBT was pioneered to address the challenges of individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD).

Since then, it has become an effective treatment for a wide range of mental health conditions.

At its core, DBT seeks to equip individuals with practical skills to navigate their emotions and interpersonal relationships and reduce self harming behaviour.

Sometimes individuals who experience heightened emotional sensitivity can struggle to regulate their feelings. This can cause them to engage in behaviors that worsen their distress, strain their relationships, come with negative consequences, or that they often regret.

DBT is structured around four main concepts: Emotion Regulation, Distress Tolerance, Interpersonal Effectiveness, and Mindfulness.

By mastering these skills, individuals can improve their overall quality of life and achieve greater emotional stability. This comprehensive approach ensures that individuals receive ongoing support and reinforcement as they work toward their therapeutic goals.

How Does DBT Work?

During DBT therapy sessions, individuals work with a trained DBT therapist to identify problem areas and develop strategies for addressing them.

Techniques used in DBT include emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness skills.

Through these techniques, individuals learn to regulate their emotions, maintain healthy relationship, and reduce self-harming behaviour.

What Does DBT Help With?

DBT has been shown to be effective in treating conditions such as:

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD): DBT helps individuals with BPD through building skills to manage intense emotions, improve self-image, and build healthier relationships.
Aggression: DBT helps individuals regulate intense emotions that might otherwise lead to aggressive behaviour.
Mood Disorders: DBT aids individuals with mood disorders like depression and bipolar disorder by teaching coping skills for managing intense emotions and shifts in mood.
Substance Use Disorders: DBT assists individuals with substance use disorders by helping them manage cravings, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and build skills for resisting urges to use substances, fostering recovery and relapse prevention.
Eating Disorders: DBT helps build skills to regulate intense emotions that might otherwise be soothed using disordered eating behaviours.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): DBT aids individuals with PTSD through managing symptoms of hyperarousal and avoidance and improving emotional regulation.

These concerns often overlap with depression, substance use, disordered eating, or trauma and PTSD, and DBT skills can support treatment alongside care for any of them.

If you or someone you know could benefit from DBT, contact Monarch Psychology today to schedule a consultation with one of our skilled therapists. Take the first step towards a healthier, more fulfilling life.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

What is Dialectical Behaviour Therapy?

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, or DBT, is a structured and skills-based form of psychotherapy. It combines elements of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy with mindfulness practices.

DBT focuses on helping individuals regulate intense emotions, improve relationships, and respond to stress in healthier ways.

How is DBT different from CBT?

While DBT includes cognitive and behavioural strategies like CBT, it places a stronger emphasis on emotional regulation and acceptance.

DBT also incorporates mindfulness and interpersonal effectiveness skills, making it particularly helpful for individuals who experience intense emotional reactions or relationship challenges.

What skills are taught in DBT?

DBT is built around four core skill areas:

Emotion Regulation
Distress Tolerance
Interpersonal Effectiveness
Mindfulness

Together, these skills support greater emotional stability, improved communication, decreased self-harming behaviour, and increased confidence in navigating difficult situations.

What concerns can DBT help with?

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy may be helpful for individuals experiencing:

Borderline Personality Disorder
Mood disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder
Substance use concerns
Eating disorders
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Aggression or difficulty managing anger

DBT therapy can also support individuals who feel overwhelmed by intense emotions or patterns that negatively impact relationships.

What happens during a DBT session?

During DBT sessions, you work collaboratively with your therapist to identify areas of difficulty and build practical coping strategies.

Sessions may include practicing skills to support mindfulness, acceptance, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness Over time, these tools can be applied independently in daily life.

How do I know if DBT is right for me?

If you or a loved one struggles with emotional intensity, impulsive behaviours, or unstable relationships, DBT may provide helpful structure and support.

Monarch Psychology offers a free 15-minute phone consultation to help determine whether Dialectical Behaviour Therapy aligns with your needs and goals.