DBT is an-evidenced based, gold standard treatment originally designed to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD) but is now used to treat a wide variety of disorders, including depression, anxiety and a range of personality disorders. DBT was created by Dr. Marsha Linehan in the United State, who herself lived with BPD. DBT can be provided in individual therapy, however it is most effective when delivered as a group therapy. This allows participants to share experiences in a safe place, practice interpersonal skills, and learn from others with similar experiences.

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DBT group therapy programs are skills-based. Although many people who attend DBT have significant experiences of trauma, this is not discussed in group. Rather, the focus is on learning new skills to manage everyday challenges and create a life worth living. The sad fact is that many people who seek out DBT do not experience their lives as worth living and struggle with chronic suicidality and self-harming behaviours.

 

Each week, participants will learn a new skill and be asked to practice that skill throughout the week. At the following group, participants will share their experience of learning and practicing the new skill — and troubleshooting if there have been any challenges with it.

 

DBT has four main areas of skills:

 

1. Distress tolerance skills. Learn skills to manage high levels of distress and manage intense emotions without worsening these situations. These skills are very effective when in crisis, for example, when you are overwhelmed with suicidal thoughts or thoughts of self-harm.

 

1. Emotion regulation skills. Learn skills to identify, understand and sit with all your emotions rather than avoiding them, repressing them or soaking in them to the point you become completely overwhelmed. These skills help you get off the emotional roller-coaster.

 

1. Interpersonal effectiveness skills. Learn skills to build healthy relationships, end toxic ones, and communicate effectively whilst maintaining respect for yourself and others.
    

1. Mindfulness skills. Learn how to focus your attention in the here and now and learn to live in the present moment, rather than the painful past or the worrisome future.

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• Groups are:

  • Offered online, available to anyone in Australia.

  • Capped at 10 participants per session. *

  • 2 hours per session with both daytime and nighttime groups available.

 

• Homework will be given every week. Homework is to practice the skill you learned in group that week every day. This is how you change your life: practice. If you want to be different, you must do different.

 

• Group sessions cost: $140 per session for 16 sessions ($2,240).

 

Medicare rebates of $41.05 for the first 10 sessions are available with a current Mental Health Care Plan from your GP, taking the total group cost for 16 sessions down to $1,829.50 Medicare-rebated group sessions will not impact your 10 Medicare-rebated individual sessions if you are using those.

 

• Pre-assessment cost: $190 (-$87.20) Medicare rebate for individual sessions if you have a current Mental Health Care Plan from your GP) Total $102.80

You will be required to attend an (online) individual pre-group assessment. This assessment is to ensure you are suitable for a DBT group program and that it is likely to help you.

 

• Total cost** for pre-assessment and 16x group sessions:

  • Without rebate: $2,430.00

  • With rebates: $1,932.00

 

* A waiting list will be created when group programs are at capacity.

**Full Payment must be made prior to commencing group and no Medicare Rebate can be claimed for group sessions that you do not attend. At the end of the program, you will be provided with a PAID Medicare Invoice that will allow you to claim the $400 online with Medicare.