Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

Finding the Right Counsellor for DBT in Victoria, Vancouver or Kelowna

At Waypoint, we are committed to offering evidence-based therapies that help you navigate life’s challenges and achieve emotional balance. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a highly effective, structured approach designed to help people develop skills to manage intense emotions such as anxiety and stress, improve relationships, address the effects of trauma and improve their experiences in life.

All of our counsellors offer sessions by phone or online with a secure video link.

What is DBT?

DBT is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) developed to address complex emotional and behavioural issues. Originally designed to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD), DBT has since been proven effective for a wide range of issues, including:

• Anxiety and depression
• Emotion dysregulation
• Self-harming behaviors
• Eating disorders
• Substance use
• Post-traumatic stress

DBT combines traditional cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness and acceptance strategies. This dual focus helps clients balance change with self-acceptance, empowering them to achieve greater emotional resilience and stability.

How does Dialectical Behavioural Therapy work?

DBT works by helping clients develop skills in four core areas:

Interpersonal Effectiveness
This skill helps you communicate your needs clearly, set healthy boundaries, and maintain meaningful relationships.

Mindfulness
Mindfulness involves living in the present moment and being fully aware of your thoughts, emotions, and surroundings. This skill helps you reduce stress and increase emotional control by observing your experiences without judgment. It can also greatly improve your enjoyment of every day experiences.

Distress Tolerance
This skill teaches you how to cope with painful emotions and situations without resorting to harmful behaviours. It includes techniques like grounding, distraction, and self-soothing strategies.

Emotion Regulation
By learning to identify, understand, and manage intense emotions, you can reduce emotional overwhelm and respond to situations more effectively.

What to expect in DBT.

DBT is offered in several formats to meet your unique needs:

• Individual Therapy: One-on-one sessions focus on your specific goals, challenges, and skill application.
• Skills Training Groups: These group sessions are like classes, where you learn and practice DBT skills in a supportive environment.
• Coaching Support: Between sessions, you can access guidance to apply your skills in real-life situations.

Our therapists create a collaborative and nonjudgmental space to explore your thoughts and feelings. We work with you to tailor DBT strategies to your personal challenges, ensuring you feel supported throughout your journey. The eventual aim of therapy is to teach you to apply the skills you have learnt during treatment to your daily life.

This should help you manage your problems and stop them having a negative impact on your life, even after your course of treatment finishes.

Who can benefit from DBT?

DBT is particularly effective for individuals who struggle with:

• Intense emotional ups and downs
• Difficulty managing stress or crises
• Self-destructive behaviours
• Relationship conflicts

Whether you’re seeking to reduce emotional pain, improve communication, or gain better control over your reactions, DBT provides a structured, compassionate framework for change.

Where to get the right counsellor for CBT?

If you are ready to take the next step towards emotional balance and fulfillment, we are here to help. All of our counsellors providing DBT offer a free 20 minute consultation by phone or video so you can see if the fit feels right. You can select your own counsellor or reach out to us and we can help to match you with the strongest counsellor for your individual situation. Alternatively, you can complete our online matching survey and a professional will be in touch with you about recommended counsellors.