Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, or DBT, is a structured therapeutic approach that teaches concrete skills clients can use in daily life. These groups are especially helpful for individuals who experience intense emotions, difficulty managing stress, relationship challenges, impulsive behaviours, or patterns of feeling overwhelmed or stuck.
At the Centre for MindBody Health, our DBT Skills Groups provide a supportive, interactive, and clinically guided space to learn and practice these skills alongside others.
Current DBT Skills Group Options
We currently offer two virtual DBT Skills Groups:
- Tuesday Group: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Wednesday Group: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Clients may choose the group time that works best for their schedule. Both groups are held online and are co-led by a Psychologist along with either a Social Worker or Registered Psychotherapist.
Each group is limited to 12 participants in order to maintain a supportive, engaging, and interactive learning environment.
Program Structure
The full DBT Skills Group program runs for 24 weeks and is divided into three 8-week modules:
- Emotion Regulation: skills to better understand, name, and manage emotions; reduce emotional vulnerability; and respond more effectively when emotions feel intense.
- Distress Tolerance: skills to cope with crisis situations, tolerate difficult moments, and reduce behaviours that may make things worse in the long term.
- Interpersonal Effectiveness: skills to communicate more clearly, set boundaries, ask for what you need, and maintain relationships while respecting yourself and others.
- Mindfulness is woven throughout each module and is practiced regularly as a foundation for all DBT skills.
What to Expect in Each Group Session
Each two-hour group follows a consistent structure so clients know what to expect each week:
- 30 minutes: Mindfulness practice
- 30 minutes: Review and discussion of how DBT skills were used in daily life
- 60 minutes: Learning and practicing a new DBT skill
Groups are educational and skills-focused. Participants are encouraged to reflect, practice, and apply the skills between sessions in real-life situations.
Who Can Join?
To participate in a DBT Skills Group, clients must be working with an individual therapist. This therapist does not need to be from the Centre for MindBody Health.
For clients who are also looking for individual therapy, we are happy to help match them with a member of our clinical team, when availability allows.
Getting Started
Clients interested in joining a DBT Skills Group can begin by booking a Discovery Call with a Care Coordinator. This call gives clients the opportunity to learn more about the group, ask questions, and determine whether the program may be a good fit.
Clients may also complete our online intake form, and our team will follow up to help schedule an orientation with a group facilitator.
Group Orientation
Before beginning the group, clients attend an orientation appointment with a group leader. This provides an opportunity to review the structure of the group, discuss expectations, answer questions, and ensure the group is the right fit for the client’s needs and goals.
Ready to Learn More?
If you are interested in joining one of our DBT Skills Groups, we invite you to book a Discovery Call or complete our Online Form. Our team would be happy to help you take the next step.
