Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is an empowering,  gold -standard therapy that helps people to manage intense emotions and risk. It was especially developed as a treatment for bpd, and has also been helpful for many other conditions such as complex and early trauma and eating disorders. DBT uses change and acceptance dialectics. For example- you are probably doing the very best you can right now (acceptance)- and- it might not be enough to keep you safe, or to maintain healthy relationships (change). DBT has four main components- learning distress tolerance, emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness and mindfulness strategies. DBT therapy is often delivered as a combination of individual and group therapy skills training. 

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                                                    Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

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By changing the way we think, we can change the way we feel. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) focuses on the interactions between thought processes, emotions, physiology and behaviour. It is based on the idea that during our lives we learn to react to events in unhelpful ways, this often creates problems for us. CBT helps people to think, feel and behave in more helpful balanced ways. CBT helps people catch,  recognise and overcome unhelpful beliefs and learning strategies. CBT can help people with bpd and complex trauma to challenge and change core beliefs and behaviours (learned in childhood) that underlie inaccurate perceptions of themselves, others, and the world. CBT may help reduce a range of mood and anxiety symptoms and reduce the number of suicidal or self-harming behaviours.

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                                                   Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

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The human mind is often destructive, but we are far more than our thoughts. ACT is an empirically based psychological intervention that uses acceptance and mindfulness strategies, commitment and behavioural change strategies to increase psychological flexibility. Traditional Western psychology often works under the assumption of “healthy normality”- that by nature, human minds are healthy. ACT however assumes that the psychological processes of a normal mind are often destructive. Instead of focusing on controlling certain thoughts, feelings, sensations, memories- ACT teaches people to stay in the present moment, not push away uncomfortable thoughts and feelings. ACT helps people to clarify their personal values, take ACTion on them, increasing vitality, meaning and psychological flexibility.

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                                                                    Attachment and Narrative Therapies

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Traditional DBT therapy has as one of it's 4 modules- interpersonal effectiveness. This module is about improving communication with others and being able to ask for what you want in an assertive manner. The Survival Skills Programme in the academy enhances this with attachment theory, exploring love, intimate relationships and attachment dynamics.  The programme also incorporates narrative therapy aspects- that is- one's life story exploration and life editing. The programme has a central character, who is made up of some of the previously unheard voices of those with bpd.

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