Do you have a tendency to avoid uncomfortable feelings, or to become overwhelmed when faced with intense emotions or difficult moments in your relationships? If so, learning practical DBT skills could help you feel steadier, and more in control of how you respond.
Our Online Introduction to DBT Skills Group is a 13-week program teaching practical, evidence-based skills, without requiring the full commitment of a 12 month comprehensive DBT program.
What Is DBT?
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based approach that helps people manage intense emotions, get through distressing moments without making things harder for themselves, and build healthier relationships. It combines practical, learnable skills with a focus on acceptance alongside change.
Skills Group vs Full DBT: What’s the Difference?
Full-adherence DBT is a comprehensive treatment model. It includes weekly individual therapy, phone coaching between sessions, and a skills group, all running together.
Our Online DBT Skills Group is the skills-training component on its own. It teaches the same four core skill areas in a shorter, more accessible format, without the individual therapy and phone coaching. It suits people who want practical, structured skills without a full DBT commitment. Some people find it helpful alongside individual therapy too, this is something we talk through at your pre-group assessment.
What You’ll Learn
Each module is taught in plain, practical terms, with skills you can start applying between sessions from week one.
Mindfulness
A bit more space to breathe before reacting. Builds the ability to notice and stay present with your thoughts, feelings and surroundings, without being swept up by them, supporting greater clarity when things feel like too much.
Distress Tolerance
Getting through the really hard moments without making things worse. Practical strategies for coping with crisis or overwhelm in the moment, and greater confidence in your ability to ride out difficult moments.
Emotion Regulation
Fewer extreme highs and lows. Understanding what drives strong emotions, and learning skills to manage intense feelings more effectively, for a steadier sense of yourself over time.
Interpersonal Effectiveness
Relationships that feel less exhausting. Skills for asking for what you need, saying no, and navigating conflict, while maintaining relationships and self-respect.
Please note: this is a skills-training group and is not a substitute for individual therapy. It is not a full-adherence, comprehensive DBT program. Suitability, and whether additional supports are needed alongside the group, is discussed at the pre-group individual assessment.
Is This Group Right for You?
This group may be a good fit if:
You’re an adult (18+) who experiences intense or overwhelming emotions
You find it difficult to manage distress
You notice recurring patterns in your relationships you’d like to change
A diagnosis is not required to attend
This group isn’t able to accommodate participants experiencing acute or severe crisis. If this applies to you, your assessing clinician will discuss more appropriate treatment options, which may include a comprehensive DBT program or individual therapy.
Program Structure
Format: Online, delivered via secure video (Zoom)
Day/time: Most likely Wednesdays, 4:00pm–5:30pm (not yet fully confirmed)
Duration: 13 consecutive weeks, 1.5 hours per session
Start date: February 2027, exact date to be confirmed
Eligibility: Adults aged 18 and over
Group size: Minimum 6, maximum 12 participants
Facilitators: Brigitte Pride (lead), with Belinda Grugan co-facilitating if the group reaches 8 or more participants
Pre-Group Individual Assessment
Before joining the group, every participant attends a 1-hour individual appointment with Brigitte Pride. This session:
Confirms whether the group is a suitable fit for you at this time
Identifies whether you would benefit from additional supports alongside the group, such as concurrent individual therapy
Covers informed consent and answers any questions about the program
This assessment is billed separately from the program fee, at the practice’s standard individual consultation rate. It is a required step for all participants and is not optional.
To arrange this, contact our reception team and let them know you’d like to request a 1-hour individual assessment to see if the group is a good fit for your needs.
Program Fees
Contact reception for current pricing, payable in full no later than 3 weeks before the group commences.
Next steps
Contact the practice on 4722-3137 to register your interest and check current availability
Book and attend your individual pre-group assessment
If the group is confirmed as a good fit, pay the program fee to secure your place
Receive your welcome pack, including Zoom joining details
