our Approach
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based approach that helps you manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and create balance between acceptance and growth. Originally developed to support individuals living with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), DBT is now widely used to treat anxiety, depression, PTSD, eating disorders, and emotional dysregulation.
This approach combines mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, giving you concrete tools to stay grounded when life feels overwhelming. DBT teaches you that two truths can coexist: you can accept yourself as you are while still working toward meaningful change.
Feel emotionally out of control or easily overwhelmed.
Struggle to understand or express what you feel.
Experience high emotional reactivity followed by regret or shame.
Find yourself caught in cycles of anger, anxiety, or impulsivity.
Feel like small setbacks trigger big emotional responses.
Have difficulty maintaining balance in relationships.
Rely on coping strategies that no longer serve you.
Crave emotional stability and self-trust.
Want tools to manage life’s challenges with clarity and calm.
• Personalized referral plan with a therapist match guarantee
• Highly vetted therapists who are real, warm, and relatable
• A reputable clinic that has supported over 2,000 clients across BC
• Virtual counselling anywhere in BC — evenings and weekends available
• Holistic, collaborative care designed around your unique needs
• A dedicated clinic concierge to support you every step of the way
If you have any questions for us prior to booking an appointment or being matched with a therapist, please fill out this contact form and our clinic concierge will get back to you during business hours (Monday- Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm PST).
We look forward to supporting you!
604-418-8827
hello@gatherandground.ca
Meet members of our team who work with this approach.
Dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based type of counselling that combines cognitive behavioural therapy with mindfulness. It focuses on building skills in emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness to help clients manage intense emotions and improve relationships.
DBT works by teaching practical skills to handle difficult emotions without becoming overwhelmed. In therapy, clients learn strategies for calming their nervous system, coping with stress, improving communication and emotional regulation. Over time, these skills create more balance, stability, and confidence in your daily life.
DBT is especially effective for borderline personality disorder (BPD), self-harm, and chronic suicidal thoughts. Our clients have also seen results for anxiety, depression, trauma, eating disorders, and emotional dysregulation. Many clients in Vancouver and across BC use DBT to develop long-term coping skills and healthier relationships. It is a highly effective method for emotional regulation.
A session usually lasts 50–60 minutes. Your therapist may guide you through skill-building exercises, mindfulness practices, and problem-solving strategies. Over time your tolerance to distress and emotional resilience will improve immensely.
DBT skills that are taught by our therapists include mindfulness (staying present), distress tolerance (coping during crisis), emotional regulation (managing feelings), and interpersonal effectiveness (improving communication and boundaries). Our clients across BC use these DBT skills to build stability, resilience, and healthier patterns in daily life. The results we have witnessed among hundreds of clients have been outstanding!
Yes. Our counselling clinic is based in Vancouver and offers DBT-informed therapy virtually. We provide technologically secure support to clients throughout British Columbia, making DBT accessible whether you live in Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, Kamloops, or a smaller BC community.
Many clients notice improvements in emotional regulation, reduced impulsive behaviours, and stronger coping skills. Over time, DBT helps create more stable moods, healthier relationships, greater confidence in handling life’s challenges, and a sense of emotional empowerment.
DBT is often a longer-term therapy compared to CBT. Some of our clients see progress within a few months, while full DBT programs may last 6–12 months or longer. Diving into deeper emotional reprogramming takes time however will result in long lasting change. Your therapist will collaborate with you to set realistic goals and structure a plan that fits your needs.
Yes. DBT has been extensively researched and is considered one of the most effective therapies for borderline personality disorder, emotional dysregulation, anxiety and depression. Its well thought out concepts and techniques have proved to offer sustained change in people’s lives.
Many extended health plans in British Columbia cover sessions with a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC), Canadian Certified Counsellors (CCC), and Registered Social Workers (RSW). It’s best to confirm directly with your provider. Our Vancouver clinic issues detailed receipts to make the reimbursement process simple and stress-free.
Our DBT therapists teach specific emotional regulation skills to help clients manage overwhelming feelings without becoming reactive or shut down. These include identifying emotions, reducing vulnerability with self-care, increasing positive experiences, and applying strategies like “opposite action.” In Vancouver and across BC, our clients use these DBT skills to build stability and confidence in their daily lives.
You can look for a Registered Clinical Counsellor, Psychologist, or Social Worker trained in DBT or DBT-informed therapy. At our Vancouver counselling clinic, several therapists integrate DBT skills into their practice and offer sessions online across BC.
