Is This You?
You might be in the right place if...
Many people who come to the DBT Psychology Clinic have already tried therapy. They're self-aware, they understand their patterns, and they genuinely want things to be different. But something isn't shifting. If that sounds familiar, a structured, skills-based treatment program like DBT may be what's been missing.
You're not broken - you may just need a different kind of therapy:
• You experience emotions intensely and find them hard to manage
• You understand what needs to change, but keep finding it difficult to act differently
• Previous therapy has helped, but something still feels stuck
• You're looking for a structured, evidence-based program - not just ongoing sessions
• You want to build real skills to manage distress, improve relationships, and move forward
Sydney's Leading Comprehensive DBT Program
The DBT Psychology Clinic is Sydney’s first comprehensive DBT program in private practice. It was established in 2017, built on four decades of clinical experience across our founding directors.
Our 48-week program is the complete DBT model - not an adapted or abbreviated version. It includes four interconnected components:
• Weekly individual therapy - with a dedicated DBT-trained therapist, focused on applying skills to real situations in your life
• Weekly skills training groups - covering the skills of mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. This is a skills class, not a process group
• Between-session phone coaching - brief, skills-focused support from your individual therapist when you need it most
• A therapist consultation team - helping therapists to be the best therapists they can be and to ensure fidelity to the DBT principles.
What you'll learn:
• How to regulate intense emotions and reduce their impact on your daily life
• How to navigate crises safely and develop alternatives to self-destructive behaviours
• How to communicate effectively, observe your personal limits and maintain meaningful relationships
• How to move from insight into action - building new behaviours, not only understanding old ones
How it works - step by step
Starting something new can feel daunting. Here's exactly what the process looks like from first contact to program entry:
Step 1 - Get in Touch.
Call us now on 0434595195 or book your initial phone conversation. You can also use our Contact Form or email info@dbtpsychologyclinic.com.
Step 2 - Initial Assessment.
You'll meet with one of our clinic directors for an initial assessment to help you understand what's involved in the program and to decide whether DBT is likely to be helpful for you. It's a relaxed, confidential conversation - no pressure, no obligation.
Step 3 - Pre-Treatment Sessions.
If DBT looks like a good fit, you'll be matched with an individual therapist. With them, you'll complete 3-4 pre-treatment sessions focused on ongoing assessment, orientation to the program, and preparation for entry into the full program.
Step 4 - Program Entry. You can join the adult DBT program every 10 weeks, at the beginning of a new skills training module. View upcoming program dates on our Program Dates page.
Your First Point of Contact - Tania Alexander
Founding Director | Dedicated Intake Clinician
Tania has over 20 years of experience providing psychological treatment grounded in the principles of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). Over the years, she has contributed to the development of DBT programs across both public mental health services and the private sector.
She completed DBT Intensive Training in 2007 and again in 2017 through Behavioral Tech, the training institute established by Dr. Marsha Linehan. In 2010, she furthered her expertise by attending Advanced Intensive Training with Dr. Linehan at the University of Washington in Seattle.
Tania is passionate about delivering and disseminating evidence-based treatment for complex, multi-diagnostic mental health conditions rooted in emotion regulation difficulties.
Her many years of clinical experience are enriched by her study of Buddhist teachings and her personal meditation practice. An avid reader and follower of the arts, Tania believes in each person’s capacity for growth and creativity in their own unique way.
Founding Director | Bianca dos Santos
Bianca is a compassionate and experienced clinical psychologist with over a decade of work across diverse settings, including community mental health, not-for-profit organisations, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, and private practice.
She was drawn to Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) for its dialectical nature—recognising that multiple truths can exist in any one moment—and for its unique balance of practicality and wholeheartedness. Bianca is committed to delivering therapy from a strong evidence base, supporting individuals to build a life that feels meaningful and self-directed.
In 2017, Bianca completed DBT Intensive Training with Behavioral Tech, the original institute founded by Dr. Marsha Linehan to train clinicians in delivering DBT with fidelity to the research model. She has extensive experience across all core components of DBT: facilitating group skills training, offering individual therapy, and providing phone coaching.
Bianca feels it is a true privilege to witness the profound changes that can occur when clients fully engage in the DBT process.
Outside the therapy room, Bianca is a devoted mother to two young children, a wife, and a co-parent to Charlie Brown—a much-loved chocolate poodle who previously lent a paw as a therapy dog, but now enjoys retirement basking in the sun on his favourite chair.
Founding Director |
Louise Fisher
Louise has always been drawn to understanding the human mind and the ways people can heal and grow. She was particularly attracted to Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) because of its compassionate, structured, and skills-based approach to supporting people who experience intense emotions. She values how practical and empowering DBT is, and the way it fosters meaningful and sustainable change.
Louise offers a warm, collaborative, and grounded approach. She aims to create a safe and respectful space where clients feel seen, supported, and gently challenged when needed.
She finds it deeply inspiring to witness people’s resilience and capacity for transformation. Her work is continually nourished by the rich interplay between psychological insight and contemplative traditions, which she thoughtfully integrates into her clinical practice.
Louise has completed DBT Intensive Training through Behavioral Tech, the institute founded by Dr. Marsha Linehan. She has led DBT skills groups at St John of God Hospital in Richmond and has extensive experience delivering comprehensive DBT, including individual therapy, group skills training, and phone coaching.
Clients are sometimes surprised to learn that Louise has been actively involved at the intersection of psychology and Buddhism. She was formerly the Director of Training for the Australian Association of Buddhist Counsellors and Psychotherapists and continues to enjoy both teaching and learning in that space.
A Team Built Around Clinical Excellence
Behind every client at the DBT Psychology Clinic is an entire team of specialists working together. Our eight clinicians - including clinical psychologists and counsellors - are all trained in DBT and committed to delivering it with rigour and care.
At the heart of our clinic is a shared belief: that meaningful, lasting change is possible - even for those who feel stuck in patterns of intense emotion, reactivity, and self-defeating behaviours. Our work is shaped by a deep respect for our clients' courage and a belief in their capacity to build lives worth living.
Ready to take the first step?
Book your initial intake phone conversation directly into our intake calendar.
Appointments are available online and in-person at our Potts Point, Sydney clinic.
Prefer to get in touch first? Call us on 0434 595 195, or email info@dbtpsychologyclinic.com, or use our Contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at an intake appointment?
It's a conversation with one of our clinic directors to talk through what's been going on, what you're hoping to get from treatment and whether our program is a good fit. There's no pressure - it's about finding the right path forward for you.
Do I need a referral?
No a GP referral is not required to book an intake appointment. You're welcome to self-refer. If you do have a Mental Health Care Plan, please bring it along as it may contribute to a Medicare rebate for individual sessions within the program.
How long is the program?
Our comprehensive DBT program runs for 48 weeks. This duration is intentional - it allows enough time to learn, practise and integrate skills into everyday life in a meaningful way.
What does the program cost?
Full details on program fees and rebate options can be found on our Fees and Payment Options page.
Is the program available online?
No, the program is only available in-person.
When do programs start?
We run intakes in cohorts throughout the year. Book an intake appointment with one of the clinic directors to find out when the next available start date is, or view upcoming program dates on our Program Dates page.
Not sure if DBT is right for you? That's exactly what the intake appointment is for. Book a time and let's find out together.