DBT-Informed Therapy in Newtown
Looking for DBT therapy in Sydney? At Insight Psychology in Newtown, Dr John Ahern offers DBT-informed therapy in individual sessions. That means you get the core DBT skills in a one-to-one setting, worked through at a pace that suits you, rather than as part of a large group program.
DBT is practical above all. Rather than only exploring why you feel the way you do, it gives you concrete tools you can use in the moments that matter — when emotions are running high and old patterns are hard to interrupt.
DBT with Dr John Ahern
Dr John Ahern is the founder of Insight Psychology in Newtown, Sydney. He works with adults experiencing anxiety, trauma, stress, mood difficulties, intense emotions, relationship patterns and long-standing psychological difficulties, using evidence-based approaches including EMDR, CBT, DBT-informed therapy, ACT and Schema Therapy.
What Is DBT?
DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy) is a type of talking therapy developed by psychologist Marsha Linehan in the late 1980s. The "dialectical" part refers to a central idea that runs through the whole approach: holding two things at once. You can accept yourself exactly as you are and work on change. Both are true, and progress comes from balancing the two rather than choosing between them.
It was originally created for people who experience emotions very intensely and struggle to regulate them. Since then the research base has grown considerably, and DBT skills are now used to help with a wide range of difficulties — not just the condition it was first designed for.
Who Can DBT Help?
DBT skills may be useful if you recognise yourself in any of the following:
DBT was first developed for people living with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and remains one of the most strongly supported treatments for it — but you don't need a diagnosis of any kind to benefit. If you're not sure whether DBT is the right fit, that's something we can work out together in an early session.
The Four Core DBT Skills
DBT is built around four sets of skills. We draw on these in your individual sessions, focusing on the areas most relevant to what you're dealing with.
Mindfulness
Noticing what's happening in your mind and body without getting swept away by it — the foundation the other skills build on.
Distress tolerance
Practical techniques for getting through a crisis without making things worse, when you can't fix the situation but need to survive the moment.
Emotion regulation
Understanding your emotions, reducing how often you feel overwhelmed, and changing emotional responses that aren't serving you.
Interpersonal effectiveness
Asking for what you need, setting boundaries and saying no — while keeping your relationships and self-respect intact.
What DBT Looks Like at Insight Psychology
I work with you one-to-one, in standard 50-minute sessions. Together we identify the patterns causing you the most difficulty, then build the relevant DBT skills and put them into practice in your everyday life. Between sessions you'll often have small things to try out, because the skills only become yours through use.
DBT-Informed Individual Therapy vs a Full DBT Program
So you know exactly what's on offer here — and what isn't.
What I offer
- One-to-one, DBT-informed individual therapy
- The core DBT skills, tailored to you
- Standard 50-minute sessions, paced to suit you
- Skills practised in your everyday life between sessions
A full adherent DBT program
- A weekly skills group
- Phone coaching between sessions
- A therapist consultation team
- Individual therapy alongside all of the above
If you're looking for a full structured DBT program with a group component, I'm happy to talk through whether individual DBT-informed work suits your needs, or whether a referral elsewhere would serve you better.
Is DBT Right for Me?
The best way to find out is to start with an initial session. It gives us both a chance to understand what's been happening, what you're hoping for, and whether this approach fits. There's no expectation to commit beyond that first conversation.
You won't be judged for how you've coped so far. The whole point of DBT is that the ways you've managed made sense given what you were facing — and now we work on adding skills that cost you less.
Insight Psychology is located at 6/134–140 King Street, Newtown, NSW 2042, in Sydney's Inner West, and is easy to reach from across the Inner West and inner city. You don't need a referral to see a psychologist; if your GP provides a Mental Health Treatment Plan, you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate on a number of sessions each calendar year. You can also explore other psychology support in Sydney, including CBT therapy in Sydney.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does DBT stand for?
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. "Dialectical" refers to balancing acceptance and change, which is the core idea the therapy is built around.
How is DBT different from CBT?
DBT grew out of CBT and shares its practical, skills-based focus. The key differences are DBT's strong emphasis on accepting difficult emotions before changing them, and its specific skills for distress tolerance and managing intense feelings. CBT tends to focus more on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts. You can read more about CBT therapy in Sydney.
Is DBT only for borderline personality disorder?
No. It was developed with BPD in mind and is well supported for it, but the skills help with a much broader range of difficulties involving intense emotions, impulsivity and relationship strain. You don't need any diagnosis to benefit.
How long does DBT take?
It varies. Skills take time and practice to embed, so DBT-informed work is usually not a quick fix. We'll review progress regularly and adjust as we go, rather than committing to a set number of sessions up front.
Do I need a referral?
No, you can book directly. A GP Mental Health Treatment Plan is only needed if you want to claim a Medicare rebate.
This page is general information only and is not a substitute for personalised psychological advice, diagnosis or treatment. The best therapy approach depends on your history, current symptoms, goals and support needs. A psychologist can help assess whether this approach is suitable for you.
Insight Psychology is not a crisis service. If you are in immediate danger, call 000. If you need urgent mental health support in Australia, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.