Adult DBT Program

Our Adult DBT program is a comprehensive treatment for adults who are 18 years of age or older. Adults who benefit from our program often struggle with intense emotions, impulsive behaviours, self-harm/suicidal behaviour, or problems in relationships. DBT can also be helpful for an even wider range of problems, including but not limited to substance abuse, mood disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders. 

Our program is self-referred. We do not require a doctor’s referral. Anyone who thinks that they might benefit from our services is welcome to call us.

When you first call us, we will schedule a brief phone intake to understand your goals for treatment and to discuss whether DBT may be right for you. If it seems like DBT is a good match for you based on the intake call, we will arrange for you to meet with a therapist for your first session pending availability. 

DBT is an intensive treatment. The following components are included in our program:

 

  1. Individual Therapy

Clients in our adult DBT program attend individual therapy sessions. Individual therapy typically works best on a weekly basis, and our program requires a minimum frequency of twice per month. In individual therapy sessions, you will discuss in detail what is happening in your life and your therapist will help you work toward your goals.

Individual therapy is also where you will get help applying the skills you learn in the DBT Skills Training Group to your own life so that they can be as effective as possible for you.

2. DBT Skills Group

In our DBT Skills Group, clients learn skills to reduce their suffering, solve problems, and ultimately to build the lives they want to have. While attending the DBT Skills Group, clients must also attend individual therapy at our clinic or elsewhere at least twice per month in order to receive support in applying the skills to their individual circumstances. Our next Adult DBT Skills Group start dates are in February 2025.

DBT skills training consists of four sets of skills (we call them modules):

Mindfulness Skills
Mindfulness Skills will help you become more aware of what is going on inside and outside of yourself. They will help you have better control over your mind, thoughts, and emotions.

Distress Tolerance Skills
Distress Tolerance skills will help you get through crisis skillfully without doing things that will make the situation worse. They will help you cope with the most difficult and intense emotions. They will teach you to take care of yourself when things get very challenging and will help to reduce the suffering that often comes with crisis situations and intense distress.

Emotion Regulation Skills
These skills will help you to understand your emotions better. They will also help you change emotions that aren't working for you, and reduce how often you experience unpleasant emotions.

Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills
Intense emotions can make it difficult to get what you want in relationships. Not getting your needs met in relationships can also cause intense emotions. Interpersonal Effectiveness skills help you to ask for what you want, say no to things you do not want, maintain important relationships, and stand up for yourself.

Schedule

Adult DBT Skills Groups take place weekly. The length of each session is two hours. The entire curriculum of the group is 24 weeks. 

Clients can join a group at the start of any module. We typically have start dates approximately every 8 weeks. 

Our next group start date is in February 2025. Groups are held every Tuesday from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Group Size: To optimize learning and make sure everyone gets the help they need, our groups are limited to a maximum of 12 participants. Each group is facilitated by 2 therapists. 

Fees: The cost of our groups is $150 per two-hour session.

Format: All of our groups are provided in virtual format via a secure healthcare video platform (Zoom for Telehealth). 

To attend group, each client is required to sign an agreement that they will attend group in a private space and will not record group sessions on their computer.

The following is required to attend group:

  • Access to a computer with a microphone and camera connected to high-speed internet, or a phone to call into the session.

  • Access to a private undisturbed space. We recommend that you use headphones to ensure every group member’s privacy.

  • Access to any distress tolerance items you may require during the group session

3. DBT Phone Skills Coaching

DBT Phone Skills Coaching is meant to help you practice the skills you are learning in DBT during situations in your everyday life. While you are in our program, you will have access to phone skills coaching on an ongoing basis. You will be able to call your individual therapist during and after business hours for help with skills. Calls will be focused on helping you use your skills.

DBT Phone Skills Coaching is provided at no additional cost.