Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

Structured therapy for emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and high-risk behaviours

I offer DBT-informed therapy delivered within a comprehensive DBT framework for adolescents (16+) and adults who struggle with intense emotions, impulsive behaviours, and patterns that interfere with safety, relationships, or daily functioning.

DBT is a structured, skills-based approach designed to help people build stability, reduce harmful behaviours, and create a life that feels more manageable and meaningful.

Who DBT Is For

DBT may be a good fit if you experience:

Intense or rapidly shifting emotions
Self-harm urges or high-risk behaviours
Impulsivity (substance use, reckless decisions, emotional outbursts)
Chronic relationship conflict or instability
Difficulty coping with distress without making things worse
Repeated therapy starts and stops that haven’t held

DBT works best for people who are willing to engage in structured, active treatment.

How DBT Works Here

My DBT approach includes:

Weekly individual therapy sessions
Skills teaching and practice tailored to your needs
Diary cards to track emotions, urges, behaviours, and skills
Text coaching, when appropriate, to support skill use in daily life
Ongoing DBT consultation to support treatment integrity and safety

This structure closely mirrors comprehensive DBT while remaining accessible within private practice.

woman in black long sleeve shirt sitting

Treatment Focus and Priorities

DBT follows a clear hierarchy:

Life-threatening behaviours
Therapy-interfering behaviours (such as missed sessions)
Quality-of-life concerns (emotions, relationships, work, substance use, avoidance)

Skills are taught throughout treatment. The hierarchy guides what is prioritized, not whether support is provided.

For some clients, stabilizing high-risk behaviours may be the primary goal of therapy. For others, DBT gradually expands into deeper quality-of-life work.

INQUIRE ABOUT DBT

DBT Skills Training Groups

While DBT skills are taught in individual therapy, skills groups are the primary way to ensure full coverage of all DBT skills modules.

When available, DBT skills groups are offered as an adjunct to individual therapy and are discussed separately.

Commitment and Fit

DBT is not drop-in therapy. It requires:

Weekly attendance
Active participation
Completion of diary cards
Willingness to work within a structured framework

If life circumstances (medical, financial, or otherwise) prevent regular participation, DBT may not be the right fit at that time. This is not a failure — it is about finding the right level of care.

Fees

Individual DBT sessions: $175 per session

Skills groups (when available): additional cost

Interested in DBT?

If you’re considering DBT and want to know whether this approach is a good fit, I invite you to reach out to discuss next steps.