​

Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) is a structured, skills-based psychotherapy, particularly helpful for people who experience intense emotions. DBT helps you understand what your emotions are doing, reduce patterns that keep problems going, and build practical skills you can use in everyday situations. DBT holds two ideas at once: you are doing the best you can right now, and you can also learn skills that help you do better.

​

Who DBT can help

DBT is often widely associated with Borderline or Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder as that is what it was originally designed for.  But the same skills are valuable for anyone who struggles with big emotions and distress tolerance, whether or not a diagnosis is present.  DBT can be helpful for the following:-

​

• Mood difficulties. Low mood, anxiety, emotional overwhelm and shame spirals

• Safety concerns. Suicidal ideation and self-harming behaviours

• Impulsivity. Urges that feel hard to control, including substance use issues

• Relationships. Conflict, people-pleasing, withdrawal or instability

• Neurodevelopmental profiles. ADHD, autism and AuDHD, especially when emotion regulation, rejection sensitivity, sensory overload and executive functioning are part of the picture

​

Why DBT is helpful for neurodevelopmental conditions

Many autistic and ADHD brains process information quickly, feel intensely and notice more signals at once. This can create sudden shifts in emotion, strong sensory reactions and difficulties switching tasks. DBT offers concrete tools that match these realities.

​

• Emotion regulation that fits your brain. Label emotions accurately, map triggers and body cues, and use stepwise strategies to lower intensity

• Distress tolerance for sensory and social overload. Build short, repeatable routines for crisis moments, use sensory-informed grounding and plan ahead for high-demand situations

• Interpersonal effectiveness without masking. Practise scripts for asking, saying no and setting limits, with attention to energy budget and recovery time

• Mindfulness that is practical. Brief, portable practices that can be done while moving, stimming or navigating busy environments

• Executive support. Diary cards, cueing, habit stacking and environment shaping so skills become automatic rather than another task on the list

 

Core DBT skills you will learn

• Emotion regulation. Understanding what emotions are for, tracking early cues, and using tools to reduce intensity and reactivity

• Distress tolerance. Surviving crisis moments safely and riding out urges without making things worse

• Interpersonal effectiveness. Asking for what you need, saying no, keeping self-respect and protecting important relationships

• Mindfulness. Noticing thoughts, feelings and body signals without being pulled around by them

 

About me

• I hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, an advanced, practice-based qualification in the full DBT model

• I am a member of the Society for DBT (UK and Ireland) and maintain ongoing supervision and CPD

 

Why this matters. Many clinicians offer DBT-informed work and may have done some brief training on the model. Fewer are trained as actual DBT therapists and understand the complex theoretical underpinnings of the therapy. My training and membership mean you receive DBT delivered to a clear standard, adapted to you.

​

How I deliver DBT

I offer individual, skills-focused DBT. I do not run a DBT skills group. You can choose DBT as a complete one-to-one therapy, or integrate DBT skills within another therapy pathway. Sessions are structured, goal-focused and practical, with between-session practice so tools become habits.

​

What this looks like:

• Assessment and roadmap. We clarify goals, map current difficulties and agree priorities for treatment

• Skills teaching and coaching. You learn DBT skills step by step, with real-life practice and review

• Targeted individual therapy. We prioritise safety, therapy blocks and quality-of-life targets in that order

• Measurement and review. We track change using your goals and simple monitoring tools such as diary cards

 

Working with personality disorders

I welcome clients with personality disorder diagnoses. Therapy is always based on an individual assessment of risk. I do not provide crisis or emergency services. If risk is high or fluctuating, we will discuss additional supports and I can collaborate with your GP, psychiatrist or community team to keep care joined up.

​

What to expect

• Clear structure. Sessions with a plan, not just a conversation

• Practical tools. Skills you can use immediately in real situations

• Compassionate pacing. We move at a pace that is safe and sustainable

• Focus on change. Small, repeatable steps that build a life that feels more worth living

 

Frequently asked questions

 

Is DBT only for BPD or EUPD
No. DBT was developed for people with intense emotions and safety concerns and is now used more broadly for emotion regulation and related difficulties, including in ADHD and autism.

 

What is “dialectical” about DBT?
DBT holds two truths at once: you are doing the best you can, and you can learn skills to do better. Treatment balances acceptance and change every step of the way.

​

How long will it take
A focused block can be helpful for specific goals. More complex patterns usually need a longer pathway. We will agree a plan and review it regularly.

 

Do I have to join a group
No. I provide DBT one to one. Where helpful, I integrate DBT skills into other therapies I offer.

 

What if I am in crisis
I do not offer crisis or emergency support. If you are at immediate risk, contact local emergency services, your GP, NHS 111 or your area’s crisis team. We can build a safety and support plan in therapy.

​

Next steps

If you want a clear, skills-based approach to help you regulate emotions, cope with distress and improve relationships, DBT could be a strong fit. Get in touch to outline your goals and explore whether individual DBT, or a skills-integrated plan, would suit you best.