Frequently Asked Questions

1. Learn practical skills you can use right away to help you manage overwhelming emotions, reduce conflict, and improve relationships.
2. Feel more in control by discovering step-by-step strategies to stay calm and respond, when life gets stressful.
3. Build healthier relationships by learning boundary setting skills, communication skills, and conflict resolution.
4. Break the cycle of emotional burnout by developing healthier coping strategies to break the cycle of self-blame, avoidance, and/or emotional shutdown.
5. Support from people who “get it”.
6. Expert guidance. The group is led by trained DBT therapists.
7. Flexible & Accessible. We offer the option of In-person in Ottawa or virtual groups ; some sliding-scale spots are available.

DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy) is an evidence-based approach that combines mindfulness with practical skills for managing emotions, improving relationships, and tolerating distress. It was originally developed for borderline personality disorder but is now used for a wide range of emotional and behavioral challenges.

Adults or teens struggling with intense emotions, struggling with conflict resolution, and/or frequent mood swings.

Our DBT skills group runs for 12 weeks, meeting once a week for 1.5 to 2 hours. Each week focuses on a specific skill. We cover all 4 modules (i.e. mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation and interpersonal relationships) within the 12 weeks. 

We’ll cover all four DBT modules:

• Mindfulness – staying present and focused.
• Emotion Regulation – managing intense feelings.
• Distress Tolerance – getting through crises without making things worse.
• Interpersonal Effectiveness – building stronger, healthier relationships.

Not unless you want to. DBT skills groups are focused on learning and practicing skills — not on sharing your full personal history.

No. While DBT was developed for BPD, it’s helpful for anyone who struggles with emotion regulation, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, or impulsive behaviors.

The fee is 1200$ per session, with some sliding-scale spots available

You can register online, call us at (613)668-3742, or email us at info@bpdclinic.com. We’ll set up a brief consultation to make sure DBT is a good fit for you.