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Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Surrey (DBT)

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy at Forward Mind Counselling

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a skills-based, evidence-informed approach that helps people manage overwhelming emotions, strengthen relationships, and reduce harmful behaviours.

At Forward Mind Counselling, we provide DBT in Surrey for teens and adults who may be struggling with intense emotions, self-criticism, impulsive behaviours, or challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, or borderline personality disorder (BPD).

Our counsellors work collaboratively with you to create a structured plan that builds both coping skills and long-term resilience.

What is Dialectical Behaviour Therapy?

DBT was originally developed to support individuals who experience high emotional sensitivity and difficulty regulating feelings. It combines elements of cognitive behavioural therapy with mindfulness practices, focusing on both acceptance and change.

The goal is to help you understand emotions without judgment while learning practical tools to respond in healthier ways. Rather than pushing feelings aside, DBT gives you a way to acknowledge them and still take positive steps forward.

How DBT Works

DBT is structured and skill-focused. It focuses on four main areas:

  • Mindfulness – building awareness of your thoughts and emotions in the moment
  • Distress Tolerance – learning strategies to handle crises without making them worse
  • Emotion Regulation – understanding emotional triggers and managing them effectively
  • Interpersonal Effectiveness – developing tools to communicate clearly and maintain healthy boundaries

These skills are practiced in session and applied between sessions in everyday life. Over time, they become practical tools you can rely on during stressful or emotionally charged moments.

What DBT Can Help With?

DBT is effective for a variety of challenges where intense emotions or difficult behaviours are part of the struggle. At Forward Mind Counselling, we use DBT to support clients with:

Managing patterns of instability in emotions and relationships.

Reducing the intensity of negative thought cycles and building healthier coping strategies.

Creating immediate safety strategies while addressing the underlying causes.

Learning to pause, reflect, and choose healthier actions.

Building emotional stability while processing difficult memories.

Increasing communication skills and boundary-setting to strengthen personal connections.

What to Expect in DBT at Forward Mind Counselling

During your first sessions, we’ll identify the main concerns bringing you to counselling and establish specific goals. Together, we’ll develop a personalized plan that balances skill-building with addressing real-life challenges.

DBT is collaborative and active. You’ll learn skills in session and practice them in your daily life, with your counsellor helping you reflect on what works and where adjustments are needed. Our team adapts DBT for teens, adults, and families, ensuring strategies are relevant and practical for your stage of life.

Getting Started with DBT

DBT provides more than coping, it helps you create sustainable change in the way you relate to emotions, yourself, and others.

If you’re ready to start building skills that promote balance and resilience, reach out to Forward Mind Counselling to book a Dialectical Behaviour Therapy session in Surrey. We offer both in-person and online appointments.

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