Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

At Let’s Work On That, we offer Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) in Melbourne for people who feel emotions deeply and need practical, compassionate strategies to cope. DBT is sometimes called the Swiss Army knife of therapy because it gives you a set of tools you can actually use in everyday life.

DBT therapy was originally created to support people with intense emotions, frequent distress, and patterns of self-harm or suicidality. Over time, it has become a powerful treatment for a wide range of difficulties. In our Melbourne therapy practice, we use DBT to help clients who struggle with:

  • Emotional overwhelm and mood swings

  • Anxiety and depression

  • Suicidal thoughts and self-injury

  • Trauma and post-traumatic stress (PTSD)

  • Eating disorders and disordered eating behaviours

  • Difficulties in relationships

  • Stress and burnout

Our approach to DBT in Melbourne is compassionate, trauma-informed, and tailored to your needs. We integrate DBT with other evidence-based therapies such as Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR, and Schema Therapy. This means we don’t just give you coping strategies, we also help you understand the protective parts of you that developed these coping patterns in the first place.

Clients often tell us that DBT feels practical, hopeful, and immediately useful it’s not abstract theory, but tools you can take into your daily life. Whether you are managing intense emotions, recovering from trauma, or working through eating disorder struggles, DBT offers a pathway toward stability and self-leadership.

  • Melbourne-based therapist using Internal Family Systems and DBT

    Mindfulness

    Mindfulness is the foundation of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). It’s about learning to stay present and grounded, even when your mind is spiralling into worst-case scenarios or replaying old memories. DBT mindfulness skills help you notice thoughts and emotions without judgment, so you can respond with clarity instead of reacting on autopilot.

  • Melbourne-based therapist using Internal Family Systems and DBT

    Interpersonal Effectiveness

    Want to ask for what you need without guilt? Set boundaries with confidence? Stop saying “I’m fine” when you’re clearly not? DBT therapy in Melbourne teaches interpersonal effectiveness skills so you can communicate clearly, build healthier relationships, and feel more authentic in how you connect with others.

  • Melbourne-based therapist using Internal Family Systems and DBT

    Emotional Regulation

    Learn how to name your emotions, understand them, and stop them from turning your day into a soap opera. DBT therapy in Melbourne teaches emotion regulation skills so you can feel your feelings without being ruled by them. These skills help you reduce emotional intensity, recover from stress faster, and live with more balance and choice.

  • Melbourne-based therapist using Internal Family Systems and DBT

    Distress Tolerance

    Crisis? Meltdown incoming? DBT therapy in Melbourne teaches distress tolerance skills so you can get through tough moments without making things worse (translation: no need to quit your job or text your ex). These practical strategies help you ride out emotional storms safely, build resilience, and prevent impulsive decisions that can create more pain.

DBT Therapy in Melbourne: Skills for Real Life

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) in Melbourne is skills-based, practical, and structured. Think less “Let’s analyse your childhood for three years” and more “Here’s what to do when you’re spiralling at 11 p.m.”

DBT is not about talking in circles. It’s about building real-life coping strategies you can use when your brain decides to throw you into a 3 a.m. overthinking marathon, or when your emotions feel too big to handle.

You don’t have to be calm, Zen, or monk-like to benefit from DBT. You just have to be human. Messy, emotional, beautifully human.

How DBT Helps

At Let’s Work On That, we offer DBT therapy in Melbourne to support people who feel things deeply. DBT skills are practical tools you can carry with you into everyday situations:

  • At work – managing stress, staying grounded, handling tricky conversations.

  • In relationships – communicating clearly, setting boundaries, repairing after conflict.

  • With yourself – learning to notice your emotions, soothe spirals, and respond instead of react.

The Core Components of DBT - Marsha Linehan

DBT for Trauma, Eating Disorders, and Suicidality

Our Melbourne practice has a strong focus on working with:

  • Eating Disorders: Using DBT skills alongside IFS therapy to support parts that turn to food as protection.

  • Suicidality and Self-Harm: Creating safety plans and teaching distress tolerance so suicidal parts don’t feel alone.

  • Trauma Recovery: Helping you regulate the nervous system and build stability before processing deeper memories.

DBT is one of the most evidence-based therapies for these challenges, and when combined with approaches like IFS and EMDR, it becomes even more effective.

If you’re ready to explore DBT therapy in Melbourne, we’d love to walk alongside you. Sessions are available in-person in Melbourne or online across Australia. Together, we can build skills that help you feel more grounded, connected, and in charge of your life.

🌿 Contact us today to book your first session and start your journey with DBT in Melbourne.