What DBT is
DBT combines cognitive and behavioural therapy with acceptance, mindfulness and validation. It was developed for people with persistent emotional dysregulation and repeated self-harm, and it is now used for a wider range of difficulties where intense emotions drive impulsive or self-destructive behaviour.
Standard DBT has four components: individual therapy, a skills group, between-session coaching and a therapist consultation team. A full programme requires a trained team. At this clinic, DBT-informed individual therapy and skills work are offered; when a full four-component programme is the better fit, that is discussed honestly and referral options are considered.
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Who may benefit
DBT can help when emotions escalate quickly, when small triggers lead to self-harm or suicidal urges, when relationships swing between idealisation and disappointment, or when impulsive spending, sex, substance use or eating behaviour follow emotional pain. It is also used alongside trauma treatment and mood disorder care.
It is not only for borderline personality disorder, and a diagnosis is not required to learn the skills. The assessment clarifies whether the difficulties are better explained by another condition, such as bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, autism or a medical illness, because the treatment plan differs.
- Rapid, intense emotional swings
- Self-harm or suicidal urges used to cope with distress
- Relationship conflict, fear of abandonment or emptiness
- Impulsive behaviour after emotional pain
- Difficulty tolerating distress without escaping or shutting down
What sessions involve
Sessions focus on current problems and the skills that can be used before, during and after a crisis. Diary cards or a simple mood and behaviour log help track triggers, urges and skill use. The therapist validates the person's experience while also asking for change, which is the dialectic at the heart of the approach.
Skills take practice outside sessions. Progress is measured by fewer harmful behaviours, better distress tolerance and more stable relationships, not by never feeling upset. Medication may be reviewed separately when depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder or another condition is also present.
| DBT module | Core focus |
|---|---|
| Mindfulness | Notice the present moment without immediately reacting |
| Distress tolerance | Survive a crisis without making it worse |
| Emotion regulation | Understand and reduce vulnerability to intense emotions |
| Interpersonal effectiveness | Ask, say no and repair relationships while keeping self-respect |
Access and booking
Appointments are at Mind Wellness Center, Durbar Marg area, Kathmandu. Call +977-9747736624 or use /book-appointment. Telepsychiatry is available for appropriate follow-up and for patients who cannot attend in person. This is not an emergency service; if there is immediate risk of harm, go to the nearest emergency department.