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What Elara Is (and Isn’t)
Elara isn’t a therapist.
It’s a psychoeducation and skills-practice chatbot, trained to speak the language of DBT and everyday life — validating, structured, and non-judgmental.
You can use Elara to:
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Learn or refresh a DBT skill.
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Build short scripts (DEAR MAN, GIVE, FAST).
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Create grounding or self-soothing plans.
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Log emotions and track progress.
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Get nudges toward healthy coping steps.
Elara never diagnoses, treats, or offers crisis counselling.
If you ever feel unsafe, contact a real person using the crisis supports below.
Why Elara Exists
Mental-health support shouldn’t disappear after business hours.
Elara was designed by peer workers to bridge the gap between therapy, community programs, and those long nights when your thoughts won’t quieten down.
DBT works best when practised often — but remembering skills in the moment can be hard.
Elara keeps them at your fingertips, helping you turn “I know the skill” into “I can use it now.”
How to Use Elara
When you open the chat, Elara starts simply:
How are you feeling right now — or do you want to learn a skill?
From there, you can type naturally:
Grounding practice
I’m panicking — can you walk me through grounding?
Script building
Help me write a DEAR MAN to ask my manager for flexible hours.
Emotion check
I feel flat. Can we figure out what emotion that is?
Skill refresh
Remind me how to use Opposite Action.
Motivation
Give me one tiny win I can do before bed.
You can also ask Elara to save your “go-to skills” or track what helped last time.
Elara’s Personality and Design
Elara was trained in trauma-informed communication and motivational interviewing style
It always leads with:
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Validation: That makes sense; anyone in your shoes might feel that way.
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Choice: Here are two options — want the quicker or deeper one?
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Safety: Gently redirecting to crisis links if risk phrases appear.
The tone is steady and compassionate — never clinical, never sugar-coated.
Visually, Elara’s interface mirrors DBT Support Hub’s calming palette: soft blue backgrounds, clear fonts, and high-contrast text for accessibility.
What Elara Can Help You Practise
Mindfulness & Grounding
Guides you through quick sensory or breathing exercises and helps you name what’s happening without judgment.
Distress Tolerance
Runs you through STOP, TIPP, or ACCEPTS when emotions spike, reminding you of each step in order.
Emotion Regulation
Prompts you to “check the facts,” plan Opposite Action, and track daily ABC PLEASE habits.
Interpersonal Effectiveness
Helps you script conversations using DEAR MAN, GIVE, and FAST — and rehearse them out loud or by text.
Radical Acceptance & Letting Go
Offers reflection prompts to practise acceptance, self-compassion, and value-based choices when change isn’t possible.
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Try It Now — Sample Chats
You: “I’m angry and might say something I’ll regret.”
Elara: “Let’s pause for 3 breaths. Want to use STOP or Opposite Action?”
You: “STOP.”
Elara: “Good. Stop what you’re doing → Take a step back → Observe what’s happening → Proceed mindfully.
What’s one fact you notice right now?”
You: “That they probably didn’t mean to ignore me.”
Elara: “That’s checking the facts. Do you want to write a calm message or take a break first?”
Tracking Tiny Wins
Each time you use Elara, it can record small reflections like:
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What skill you used
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Your distress rating (0 – 10)
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What changed after practice
Over time, these become your “Tiny Wins Tracker” — a private log you can revisit to see progress.
No data is sold, shared, or used for advertising; your chats remain confidential within platform limits.
When you ask “How do I do Opposite Action?”, Elara links to the exact worksheet.
DBT Library
After a chat, Elara can suggest the matching course (e.g. Distress Tolerance 4-Week Program).
Training Modules
You can log daily reflections through prompts like “Add this to my workbook.”
30-Day Workbook
Elara can send digital flashcard images or summaries on request.
Flashcards
Accessibility & Trauma Awareness
Clear, simple sentences (no therapy jargon).
Options for voice or text-only interaction.
Colour palettes tested for readability and low visual strain
Grounding and self-check prompts when conversations become intense.
If a topic feels overwhelming, Elara always offers a “Pause & Breathe” option — a built-in time-out before continuing.
FAQs
No. Elara offers education and skill rehearsal, not treatment or diagnosis.
Anyone learning DBT skills — especially those with ADHD, anxiety, trauma histories, or emotional overwhelm.
Yes. Elara runs 24/7 and can help you calm racing thoughts, but if you feel unsafe, use the crisis options below.
No. Think of Elara as your between-session practice partner.
Elara keeps minimal, encrypted data for your conversation history only; nothing is sold or used for marketing.
Trust & Safety
Scope: Psychoeducation and peer support only — not therapy, diagnosis, or a crisis service.
If you’re in crisis (Australia): 000 • Lifeline 13 11 14 • Suicide Call Back 1300 659 467 • Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 • 13YARN 13 92 76 • Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 • 1800 RESPECT 1800 737 732
Global: findahelpline.com
Author: Lloyd Taylor | DBT-informed Peer Recovery Worker & Founder, DBT Support Hub
Last updated: October 2025
References:
Linehan, M. M. (2015). DBT Skills Training Manual (2nd ed.). Guilford.
Rizvi, S. L., et al. (2013). An overview of DBT for high-risk behaviours. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 21(4), 201–215