2 October 2026

Sharing life changing life skills

Now in its eighth year, Graceville’s Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) program continues to deliver – in the words of one of our many enthusiastic participants – ‘life changing results’.  

DBT is a structured, evidence-based therapy designed to help participants manage emotions, improve relationships and reduce self-destructive behaviours. It combines strategies of acceptance and change, building skills in mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness. 

Graceville’s six-month DBT program combines weekly skills development group work with individual therapy. This is backed up with 24/7 phone support. In the past year, 24 people took part. 

The Graceville DBT program receives no government funding and is subsidised by Lutheran Services and Graceville fundraising activities. Participants pay a small weekly fee to participate – typically a fraction of the cost elsewhere. 

Kelli Renata first took part in Graceville’s DBT program in 2023. She found the program so beneficial, she did it again in 2026.

Kelli kindly shares her story …  

“Looking at my life three years ago, you’d have said I had it all. Happy family. Corporate career. Good income. Nice house. Then, while trying to hold it all together, everything began to fracture.  It was deeply painful.  

I sought help to better manage the life changing things happening. I was referred to the Graceville DBT program – by professionals who thought I could benefit from the new skills. They were right. I didn’t know much about DBT at the time, but I was open to help and new ideas. I knew I had to change something. I had to have an open mind and stop overanalysing. So I embraced the DBT program and process – with a bunch of people I’d never otherwise have met.  

Graceville put together a diverse group and supported us to work together. Everyone in the group is different, but incredibly supportive and respectful. That diversity makes it work. Background and age don’t matter.  It’s amazing how people gel and make new discoveries. You might be out of your comfort zone, but you share a common goal. And that changes how you connect and communicate – something I’ve often struggled with. 

It’s natural to compare your experience to other people. You might assume that your situation is more severe or not as serious as some people. But it’s how you deal with it that matters. I came to appreciate that my situation is my own. And it’s OK to be the way I am and feel the way I do.  

I found the program so beneficial – I enjoyed the process so much – I’m now completing my second round. I wanted to do it again without my initial confusion and stress – reinforcing what I’d learnt. I was able to settle a lot of the skills and take more in. Apparently, many people do DBT more than once. I recommend DBT to family and friends. I think it can benefit anyone, at any stage in their life. You don’t need to wait for the wheels to fall off like I did! Stress makes everything tougher to manage. It’s good to have the skills before you know you need them.  

As a mother of three boys, and a single parent, it’s understandable I’m not immune to the stresses of parenthood! But I’m definitely a better parent today. We’re a happier, stronger family. I think DBT should be taught in schools. There should be DBT parenting groups. I wish I’d had DBT earlier in my life. 

I came to understand the corporate world wasn’t for me anymore – as big a part of my life as it was. I was burnt out. Now I have a new career as a support worker and I absolutely love it. You get to give more than you take. You earn more than money. It’s so fulfilling.  I’m not sure where I’d be now without DBT. I don’t think I could have made that change without the insight and skills I gained. I have a new career, a new outlook and a new life. I’m more patient and accepting. I’m less reactive and analytical. I have new skills and positive coping strategies. 

This is a very personal story – and it was a very difficult time – but it has a positive outcome. I want to be an advocate for DBT. Mental health challenges can happen to anyone at any time. I went through a lot to get here, but I’m happy where I am now. I embrace the present moment. I’m grateful for what I have and what I’ve been through. I’m in a much better place today. Graceville and DBT helped me get here.  

So I don’t just recommend doing DBT – I recommend doing it twice!”