Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a practical, skills-based approach that helps people manage strong emotions, improve relationships, and feel more grounded in everyday life. It was originally developed for individuals who experience intense emotional highs and lows or struggle with impulsive reactions, and research has shown it to be highly effective for both adults and teenagers.
DBT has also been shown to be particularly helpful for challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma recovery, ADHD, emotional sensitivity, or ongoing conflict in relationships. Many parents seek DBT support when their teenager feels overwhelmed by emotions, becomes easily frustrated or withdrawn, or struggles to manage stress in healthy ways.
Finding Balance Between Acceptance and Change
The word dialectical means finding balance between two ideas that can both be true at the same time. For example, accepting yourself while also working toward positive change. DBT helps people hold both truths, creating space for growth, self-understanding, and emotional balance.
How We Use DBT at Psychology Centre Newcastle
Whether working with adults or adolescents, we focus on building skills that make everyday challenges more manageable.
Rather than simply trying to reduce distress, DBT helps people to:
Understand what drives emotional intensity
Learn strategies to ride out strong feelings safely
Recognise triggers and early warning signs
Strengthen communication and boundary-setting
Develop steadiness and self-trust in relationships
For parents, DBT can also provide insight into how to support a young person who feels things deeply, helping families communicate more calmly and respond to each other with empathy and understanding.
DBT gives people tools to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively, so emotions feel manageable instead of overwhelming.
What to Expect
DBT sessions are interactive and skills-focused, blending conversation with practical strategies that can be used at home, school, or work.
Some of the key areas covered include:
Mindfulness – learning to pause and notice emotions and thoughts without being swept away by them
Distress tolerance – managing strong emotions or crises using grounding, self-soothing, or sensory strategies
Emotion regulation – recognising triggers and using tools to stay steady and balanced
Interpersonal effectiveness – communicating needs clearly, setting boundaries, and repairing relationships when conflict arises
These skills are introduced gradually and tailored to the person’s developmental stage and learning style, allowing both adults and teens to build confidence and consistency over time.
How DBT Can Help
DBT can help individuals to:
Feel calmer and more in control of emotions
Reduce impulsive or self-defeating behaviours
Improve communication and relationship patterns
Strengthen self-awareness and self-respect
Build resilience and manage stress effectively
Create a more balanced, purposeful, and connected life
For teenagers, DBT can also lead to fewer emotional outbursts, better coping at school, and stronger family relationships. While parents often report feeling more confident and connected in how they respond.
DBT offers a way to understand emotions rather than fight them, creating a foundation for lasting emotional health. At Psychology Centre Newcastle, we provide a supportive, non-judgemental space where people can learn, practise, and grow at their own pace.
