Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

 

Blue Amber: The Holistic Therapist

The DBT-Informed Coaching & Mentorship Programme at Blue Amber is a structured, psychologically informed pathway designed to support emotional regulation, nervous-system stability, functional resilience, and sustainable life change.

This programme is offered as a blended approach, combining elements of coaching and mentorship rather than operating as clinical psychotherapy. It draws on Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) principles and skills, adapted flexibly to support day-to-day functioning, neurodivergent needs, physical health considerations, and real-world demands.The focus is on practical application, self-understanding, and forward movement, while remaining compassionate, boundaried, trauma-aware, and ethically grounded.

 

Availability & Format

The DBT-Informed Coaching & Mentorship Programme can be accessed in two ways, depending on individual needs, capacity, and preference:

• Session-by-session support, offering flexibility and the ability to focus on specific skills or current difficulties.
• A structured 12-week programme, providing a paced and comprehensive pathway to build, practise, and integrate the full DBT-informed skill sets over time.

The most appropriate format is discussed and agreed collaboratively.

 

Who This Programme Is For

This programme is suitable for individuals who may experience intense or rapidly shifting emotions, emotional reactivity or shutdown, difficulties with boundaries or relationships, neurodivergence (including ADHD or Autism), burnout or chronic stress, the impact of chronic illness, pain, fatigue, or fluctuating capacity, or traits associated with BPD / EUPD.

It is also suitable for those seeking DBT-informed skills support without entering formal psychotherapy, and who are willing to practise tools between sessions in a realistic and supported way.

This programme is not crisis intervention and does not replace medical or specialist mental health care. Suitability is assessed collaboratively, and referral may be recommended if needs fall outside the scope of coaching and mentorship.

What DBT-Informed Coaching Focuses On

The programme centres around four core DBT areas, adapted for coaching, mentorship, and real-life application:

Mindfulness – building awareness of thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations, and nervous-system cues.


Distress Tolerance – managing high-stress or emotionally intense moments without escalation.


Emotion Regulation – understanding patterns and reducing vulnerability to overwhelm.


Interpersonal Effectiveness – strengthening communication, boundaries, assertiveness, and relationship clarity.

 

Trauma-Informed and Compassionate by Design

Work within this programme is trauma-informed and body-aware. Skills are introduced using a stabilisation-first approach, nervous-system safety and pacing are prioritised, and shame-based or rigid approaches are avoided.

Where trauma processing or deeper therapeutic work is required, this is discussed openly. For some clients, coaching and mentorship may run alongside psychotherapy, or be used as a preparatory stage.

How the Programme Works

Sessions are collaborative, structured, and responsive to individual capacity. Whether accessed session-by-session or as a 12-week programme, work may include one-to-one coaching and mentorship sessions, DBT-informed skills teaching with real-life application, reflection and integration between sessions, and support with routines, planning, and decision-making.

Adaptations are made for neurodivergence, fatigue, pain, sensory sensitivity, and health fluctuations. Accountability is clear and supportive, without increasing shame or pressure.

 

DBT for Neurodivergent Clients

This programme is particularly well suited to neurodivergent individuals when DBT is delivered with flexibility and understanding. Adjustments may include simplified skill sets, sensory-aware approaches, executive functioning support, and careful pacing to prevent burnout or overload.

Outcomes and Benefits

Clients may experience improved emotional regulation, reduced reactivity and overwhelm, greater self-understanding and self-compassion, improved communication and boundaries, increased confidence and self-trust, and practical tools that support everyday life, work, relationships, and health.

Enquiries and Next Steps

If you are interested in the DBT-Informed Coaching & Mentorship Programme, you are invited to make contact to discuss suitability. An initial conversation allows us to ensure the chosen format is appropriate for your needs, aligned with your goals, and delivered in line with ethical best practice.

Contact Details & Enquiry

Telephone, email, and enquiry options are available to ensure accessibility. All enquiries are responded to in a timely and professional manner.

Blue Amber Counselling-Lizzy Oakley