Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Programme UK

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DBT offers practical, proven skills to help you manage mood swings, impulsivity, anger, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress and eating difficulties.

It was originally developed for people with intense emotions, often diagnosed with borderline personality disorder in medical settings. Over time, DBT has evolved into a transformative framework for anyone navigating emotional and relational challenges, including autistic individuals and those with ADHD.

Whether or not you have a formal diagnosis of BPD or EUPD, if you often experience “roller-coaster” emotions or feel stuck in patterns that strain your relationships, DBT can help you deepen emotional awareness, understand how your feelings shape your actions, and build stronger, more fulfilling connections.

Our comprehensive DBT programme can be attended in London or online, and it includes: weekly one-to-one therapy, skills groups to build life-enhancing techniques, and phone coaching for in-the-moment support.

King’s Cross, Islington, London

SATURDAY 10AM-12PM* OR 12:15PM-1:45PM: These in-person DBT skills groups are held at Barnsbury Community Centre, 12 Jays Street, London, N1 0FE. Nearest stations are King’s Cross (12 minutes walk), Caledonian Road & Barnsbury (14 minutes walk), Angel (15 minutes walk) or Caledonian Road (22 minutes walk).

The next opportunity to join either of these groups is on 16th August 2025 when we begin the 8-week module in Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills. The fee is £680 which covers 8 sessions (£85 per session). After this module, the following DBT groups are scheduled:

Emotion Regulation (25th October 2025)
Core Mindfulness and Middle Path (31st January 2026)
Distress Tolerance (14th March 2026)

Sessions will not be held on 23rd August, 11th October and 27th December 2025, and 3rd January, 4th April, 2nd and 23rd May and 29th August 2026.

Online via Zoom

MONDAY 5:45PM-7:15PM: The next entry point to this group is on 7th July 2025 when the 8-week module in Distress Tolerance Skills is scheduled to begin. The fee is £680 (£85 x 8 sessions). After this module, the following DBT groups are scheduled:

Emotion Regulation (8th September 2025)
Interpersonal Effectiveness (1st December 2025)
Core Mindfulness & Middle Path (9th March 2026)

Sessions will not be held on 30th June, 25th August, 22nd and 29th December 2025.

TUESDAY 4PM-5:30PM: The next opportunity to join this group is on 19th August 2025 when the 12-week module in Emotion Regulation Skills is scheduled to begin. The fee is £1,020 which covers 12 sessions (£85 per session). After this module, the following DBT classes are scheduled:

Interpersonal Effectiveness (18th November 2025)
Core Mindfulness & Middle Path (27th January 2026)
Distress Tolerance (10th March 2026)

Sessions will not be held on 7th October, 23rd and 30th December 2025.

WEDNESDAY 6PM-8PM*: The next opportunity to join this group is on 30th July 2025 when the 8-week module in Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills is scheduled to begin. The fee is £680 which covers 8 sessions (£85 per session). After this module, the following DBT classes are scheduled:

Core Mindfulness & Middle Path (24th September 2025)
Distress Tolerance (5th November 2025)
Emotion Regulation (14th January 2026)

Sessions will not be held on 24th and 31st December 2025.

THURSDAY 5:30PM-7:30PM*: The next opportunity to join this group is on 10th July 2025 when the 8-week module in Distress Tolerance Skills is scheduled to begin. The fee is £680 which covers 8 sessions (£85 per session). After this module, the following DBT groups are scheduled:

Emotion Regulation (4th September 2025)
Interpersonal Effectiveness (27th November 2025)
Core Mindfulness & Middle Path (5th February 2025)

Sessions will not be held on 25th December 2025 and 1st January 2026.

10-WEEK ADVANCED RELATIONSHIP SKILLS IN ACTION MODULE: This module is offered only twice a year. The group meets weekly on Wednesdays from 6pm to 7:30pm via Zoom. The fee is £85 per session (total £850), and the next entry point is on 15th October 2025. Contact us to register your interest.

* Should a lower number of participants sign up for (or attend) the 2-hour group we reserve the right to shorten the group to 90 minutes. This is because in smaller groups less time is required for mindfulness and homework review. The group might also be facilitated by one facilitator at a time instead of two.

What is Dialectical Behaviour Therapy?

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a leading, evidence-based and emotion-focused treatment designed to help individuals who experience intense emotions and struggle to manage them effectively. Developed in the late 1980s by Dr. Marsha Linehan, DBT was originally created for people with high emotional sensitivity, including those with experiences are commonly labelled in medical circles as “borderline personality disorder” (BPD) or “emotionally unstable personality disorder” (EUPD). Studies show that up to 77% of individuals no longer meet the criteria for BPD following one year of DBT treatment. Today, DBT is also widely recognised for its effectiveness in treating conditions such as bipolar disorder, substance misuse, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress, and depression. DBT has also evolved from a BPD-focused therapy to a powerful tool for managing ADHD and emerging evidence suggests it is also beneficial for individuals with autism.

We offer two tailored DBT options, providing flexibility to suit your needs, lifestyle and finances:

Comprehensive DBT Programme: This full programme includes weekly individual therapy sessions, skills group, and phone-based skills coaching available seven days a week, supported by a dedicated DBT team consultation*.
Skills Group Programme: For those unable to commit to the comprehensive DBT, the skills group programme is an alternative option, following a few initial one-to-one orientation sessions. This option focuses on learning DBT skills in a supportive group setting. Should you encounter any difficulties engaging with the group, one-to-one check-in sessions can be available to support you and enhance your learning experience. We also recommend that clients arrange additional one-to-one support outside of the programme for the best outcomes.

* Individual therapists and group facilitators meet on a weekly basis and work as a DBT consultation team to ensure that they are all applying DBT appropriately and to assist you in getting the maximum benefit from the programme.

What will I learn?

Our DBT programme includes four core modules, each offered on a rolling basis. You can join as part of the full programme or one module at a time, giving you flexibility to fit your needs. Completing all modules takes 34 weeks, and based on your progress and individual circumstances, our team may recommend repeating some modules or extending your time with us to strengthen your skills even further.

If your goals focus on building stronger, more meaningful connections, take a look at our advanced module, Relationship Skills in Action. This is your chance to dive deeper, gain practical insights, and transform your relationships further.

6-week Core Mindfulness and Middle Path module is crafted to help you heighten your awareness, reduce reactivity and unhelpful habits, and become less judgmental. Through this module, you’ll learn to focus your attention, embrace present-moment experiences without avoidance, and cultivate self-compassion. You’ll also discover ways to step away from extreme positions, finding balance by appreciating the value of different perspectives. This module offers powerful tools for a more mindful, centred, and compassionate approach to life.
8-week Distress Tolerance module is all about learning to handle challenging situations and emotions in a healthier way, empowering you to face tough moments without resorting to harmful behaviours like self-harm, conflict, or substance misuse. You’ll develop skills to manage overwhelming emotions by involving both body and mind, with a balanced focus on strategies for both acceptance and change. This module provides essential tools for staying resilient, grounded, and in control during life’s toughest moments.
12-week Emotion Regulation module is designed to help you understand and label your emotions, overcome barriers to change, and reduce emotional vulnerability and reactivity. You’ll learn to cultivate positive emotions, harness a more optimistic long-term outlook, and transform unhelpful emotional patterns. This module also guides you in reducing avoidance and becoming more comfortable with your feelings, empowering you to engage more fully with your emotions for a balanced and fulfilling life.
8-week Interpersonal Effectiveness module equips you with skills to build healthier relationships, handle conflict, and grow in self-confidence to communicate assertively. You’ll learn techniques for asking for what you need, saying no, setting boundaries, and managing tension in ways that both influence others and strengthen your relationships and self-respect. This module is especially valuable for anyone who experiences relationships as chaotic, intense, or unstable, or who feels their needs often go unmet. It’s a powerful step toward creating balanced, fulfilling connections in your life.
10-week Advanced Relationship Skills in Action module is perfect for those who have completed Interpersonal Effectiveness and are ready to elevate their relationship skills even further. You’ll dive into the social engagement system to understand how interactions influence your nervous system—and that of others—while exploring the theory and practice of dialectical thinking and balancing opposites. Learn how to balance the desire to influence with acceptance of the moment, strengthen your skills in self and other validation for better conflict resolution, and build emotional resilience in the face of invalidation. You’ll also gain insights on forming new relationships, enhancing likeability, and using relational reinforcement strategies effectively. Plus, you’ll have two immersive practice sessions where you can apply these skills to your own real-life scenarios and receive tailored guidance from the group trainer. This module offers a deep, hands-on approach to mastering advanced relationship skills in a supportive setting.

How will I learn?

DBT programme is structured on a rolling basis. This approach fosters a dynamic group learning environment where individuals at different levels of progress on the programme can share experiences and refine their skills through therapist guidance and peer insights.

DBT classes are designed to be highly interactive, with therapist-led discussions, engaging demonstrations, and practical exercises to help you immerse yourself in the real-life application of the skills. Expect to be challenged and supported as you actively participate each week. New skills are introduced in every session, and weekly homework allows you to practice and apply them in real-life situations. At the start of each class, participants’ progress and inter-session tasks are reviewed, enhancing your understanding and confidence.

For those in the full DBT programme, you’ll also have access to phone skills coaching, available seven days a week during times of heightened distress, to help you use your skills when they’re needed most – whether during intense emotions, crisis, or conflict. This hands-on approach ensures you’re well-prepared to apply your skills effectively in any situation.

Who should join the programme?

There is no specific diagnostic requirement for participation in our programme. If any of the following challenges interfere with the quality of your life, whether you were given a formal diagnosis or not, DBT can help.

Emotional sensitivity and difficulties returning to a calm emotional baseline
Episodes of extreme emotional pain and attempts to stop it with self-harm, alcohol, substances or sex
Enormous fear of abandonment and trying to avoid it at all costs
Rapidly changing moods, anger, recurrent depression, feelings of guilt and shame and high stress
Chaotic relationships where you either frantically pursue or impulsively cut others off
Intense emotions and unmanageable distress which lead you to behaving in ways that you don’t understand
Impulsive urges and behaviours that lead to feelings of shame, regret or self-hate
DBT has also been shown to help those who experience emotion dysregulation in the wider context of living with autism and neurodiversity and is now the go-to treatment for improving emotional regulation skills in those diagnosed with ADHD and ADD
The skills classes are also suitable for people who are on the DBT for Complex Trauma programme with our team, and for those who are engaging in the stabilisation and safety stage of trauma-focused therapy outside of our team
The skills classes can be adjunct to outside care or a part of a larger treatment plan and can be applied as a treatment for some eating and mood difficulties, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress and substance misuse.

Exclusion criteria

Uncontrolled psychosis
Severe developmental delay or intellectual disabilities
Cognitive impairment
Active addictions
Certain narcissistic personality presentations
Behaviours and presentations which might impact on group learning
DBT focuses a lot on finding coping methods to stop impulsive behaviour and learning to appropriately respond to stressful events. If changing behaviour and increasing your repertoire of skills aren’t the main thing you want to get out of treatment, DBT might not be right for you

How to begin?

All individuals interested in joining the full programme will be assessed by a member of our team. To find out more about the team please visit the About Us section of this website and if you have a preference let us know which therapist you wish to be assessed by.

Following the assessment we meet as a team to carefully consider your therapy plan. You will be offered three one-to-one orientation sessions to introduce you to some fundamental DBT theories, tools and crisis skills (in some circumstances these sessions might be optional). We will also talk you through a roadmap of your treatment going forward, answer your questions and agree on a start date in the skills group. For more details about this process and what to expect, explore the FAQs section of this website.

It is possible to be referred to our team by a psychiatrist or current therapist who can provide a letter of recommendation describing your mental health and developmental history and send it to the assessing therapist before the initial session. It would be helpful if the letter outlined patterns of dysregulation in emotion and behaviour, history of risk (including self-harm, suicide attempts and hospitalisations), current and/or previous engagement with other services and therapeutic endeavours.

Fees

Comprehensive DBT programme – which includes individual therapy, weekly skills class and phone coaching – from £185 to £220 per week.
Each DBT skills group costs £85 per session, payable per module.
Individual DBT therapy from £100 to £135 per session, depending on the therapist.

You may choose to attend the DBT skills groups independently, at £85 per session, with a commitment to one module at a time.

A limited number of concessionary places are available in the skills groups for individuals on low incomes. If this applies to you, please email us with details of your financial circumstances.

Booking & Payment Terms

To reserve a place in the skills group, we request a 50% deposit of the module fee at the time of booking. This payment is non-refundable. The remaining balance is due one week before the module begins.

Please note that by enrolling, participants commit to the full module, and the fee covers all sessions – including those missed or cancelled for any reason.

Fees for individual therapy sessions are paid directly to your chosen therapist.

Fees and Booking

rachael W.

11:02 13 Jun 25

Thank you so much to the team at mind- reframed. Sue and Leela who did the group work . You have both helped to calm my fractured brain so much . There was never any judgment . My wonderful 1:1 therapist was Toks who was perfect for me . Such a wonderful caring professional service who cares on helping people live a better life. I noticed most people in the groups were neuro divergent which is great as CBT doesn't always work well for our brains . However this does as it's not asking us to change our brains. This is just giving us tools to help when we struggle and to manage our huge emotions. I'm a much calmer person now after my 44 weeks with you all . Thank you

Jas S.

11:36 29 Apr 25

I was honestly a bit sceptical about starting DBT at Mind-Reframed. I'd tried DBT groups before and didn’t find them very helpful. But at one of the most difficult times in my life, when my mental health was at its worst, I decided to give it another go after seeing so many great reviews - and I’m so glad I did. It turned out to be the best decision I could have made.

Over 54 weeks, I worked hard, repeated a couple of modules to really deepen my understanding, and little by little, I felt myself change. Today, I’m proud to say I’m in such a better place -happier, calmer, and able to manage my BPD using the skills and tools I've built. It wasn’t easy, DBT takes real dedication, but it was absolutely worth every bit of effort.

One thing I loved about Mind-Reframed was that the group sessions were in-person. Being in a safe, supportive space made it easier to be 100% honest, without fear or judgement. Everyone was there for the same reason: to heal and grow. It was comforting to know we could all relate to each other in different ways. Having weekly homework also kept me accountable and helped me apply the skills in real life, not just in theory.

My group facilitators were incredible. Their teaching style, patience, encouragement, and the way they celebrated our wins (big and small) made such a difference. I always felt seen, valued, and motivated to keep pushing forward. I truly think of them as my fairy godmothers, they helped me believe change was possible.

Alongside group therapy, I had one-to-one weekly sessions with my therapist who is also part of the Mind-Reframed team and I found these incredibly helpful. We could dive deeper into what was coming up for me week by week, and my therapist always found the balance between validating how I felt and gently guiding me towards new, healthier ways of thinking and reacting. Having someone celebrate your growth, even when you can’t see it yourself is something I’ll always be grateful for.

Reflecting back, I honestly feel like I’ve been reborn. I don’t even recognise the person I was before starting DBT. And even better, my family and friends can see the positive changes in me too. Ending DBT was emotional, but I know I've built a foundation that will support me for life.

Thank you so much to the whole Mind-Reframed team for the care, dedication, and belief you put into every single one of us. You’ve changed my life in a way I’ll never forget.

nash Y.

14:31 16 Apr 25

Mind Reframed has genuinely changed my life for the better. I completed the full DBT programme and repeated the Emotion Regulation module after completion, between 2023-24. The course is very in-depth, the facilitators/therapists are absolutely lovely and so understanding and helpful, and the support I received from my one-to-one therapist has been incomparable to what I’ve had in the past (positively). I very, very highly recommend Mind Reframed for the DBT programme (Denise, my individual therapist, in particular) for anyone who experiences symptoms of, or full on, borderline personality disorder or any other issues that DBT is recommended for. Big shoutout to the whole team at MR for being such a big help in my struggles navigating life with BPD, organising everything so well, and most importantly being accommodating and understanding that life gets in the way of communicating and being organised yourself sometimes. Thank you for being there for us when we most need you.

(Photos are from the Google listing for the Barnsbury Community Centre near King’s Cross Station, where I attended the in-person sessions)

Simon P.

17:05 22 Jan 25

Mind-Reframed and its practitioners provide the ideal environment for people who have faced trauma in their lives or are facing it now.
I arrived on the course in a state of despair and chaos. I’m leaving it a year later better equipped than ever to face life’s inevitable difficulties.
The coursework is challenging, and the group and personal therapy sessions help to motivate and guide the participants.
Both the group and solo therapy practitioners are immensely professional. They offer fundamental emotional and life support, in a caring yet rigorous environment.
It’s impossible for me to thank the team enough for their support, encouragement and nurturing.

milos B.

16:30 21 Nov 24

Mind-Reframed is a rare find in the therapy world. Right at the start I was impressed with the assessment session. I had worried that it might be a waste of money and a mere formality but it actually provided me with “a map” for my problems and it was easy to understand. The therapy plan that they suggested was directly related to the changes I wanted to make in my life. This was nine months ago and I am ever so grateful for the team’s diligence and commitment to their clients. My group facilitators were clearly passionate about DBT and it was apparent that they walk the talk. With gratitude 🙏

Mila D.

11:30 26 Aug 24

Great service. Thank you for your support!

Charlotte G.

11:01 24 Aug 24

Leela from Mind Reframed completely saved my life. I was destructive, emotionally unstable and hopeless. Leela gave me some pretty tough (but necessary) truths , but was the best therapist I could ever asked for.DBT is difficult but so worth it especially for emotionally unstable personality disorder and I have my life back and I’m thriving now and I owe it to hard work but ultimately DBT and Leela. ❤️

(Also don’t pretend to have done the homework she has a sixth sense for lying)

Alex B.

11:45 01 Jul 24

I cannot thank the team at Mind Reframed enough. The individual and group DBT sessions I took part in literally changed my life for the better. Professional, challenging, supportive, with plenty of humour and love too. Highly recommended.

Sallie W.

16:20 21 Jun 24

I found DBT an improvement Therapy for striking the balance between validation of who I am and the challenges I face.
The skills used and taught helped to regulate and improve my emotions.
Thank you for your support during this time of growth.

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