Virtual Across Ontario and In Person in Timmins

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based approach that empowers individuals to manage intense emotions, build meaningful relationships, and develop effective coping strategies. With DBT, you can gain the skills to navigate life’s challenges with resilience and balance.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or struggling with emotional regulation, you’re not alone. At Creating Connection, we offer DBT services tailored to your unique needs. Whether in person in Timmins or virtually across Ontario, our therapists are dedicated to helping you achieve emotional well-being and personal growth.

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Client in a Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) session, gesturing while seated on a couch, with a therapist taking notes.

Who Can Benefit from Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)?

DBT is particularly effective for individuals experiencing intense emotions or interpersonal challenges. It can support you in managing:

  • Emotional Regulation: Gain strategies to handle overwhelming emotions with confidence.
  • Stress and Anxiety: Find effective ways to reduce stress and ease anxiety.
  • Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD): Build skills to manage impulsivity, self-esteem issues, and relationship difficulties.
  • Trauma and PTSD: Heal from distressing experiences in a structured, supportive environment.

Our DBT services are available for teens, adults, and families. Whether you’re dealing with specific mental health challenges or looking to strengthen interpersonal skills, DBT offers the tools you need for lasting change.

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Therapist and client engaging in a Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) session, seated in a bright, comfortable room with large windows and modern furniture.

What to Expect in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Sessions

We understand that starting therapy can feel overwhelming. That’s why we create a safe and welcoming environment for all our clients. During DBT sessions, you can expect:

  1. Mindfulness Practices: Build awareness of your thoughts, emotions, and surroundings to stay grounded in the present.
  2. Emotional Regulation: Learn how to identify, understand, and manage intense emotions effectively.
  3. Interpersonal Effectiveness: Develop skills to communicate your needs and build stronger, healthier relationships.
  4. Distress Tolerance: Gain tools to navigate crises and challenging situations without feeling overwhelmed.

DBT sessions focus on skill-building and practical solutions. Our sessions are designed to help you meet your personal goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Book a free consultation via our online booking tool or send us a message. Offering evening and weekend appointments, online across Ontario and in-person in Timmins.

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The Caregivers Role in Child Therapy

Authored by Kelly Lamothe, MSW, RSW

Generally, children are not in therapy because they’ve requested it, rather, their caregiver, medical professional, or school has recommended they attend. Here are essential insights for caregivers to bear in mind during their child’s therapeutic journey.

Navigating the Start of Therapy
Before the first appointment, it can be helpful to prepare the child by explaining to them what they are about to do and what to expect. Offering ample reassurance, framing therapy as a positive and exciting experience, and creating positive associations can significantly enhance the child’s willingness to engage. Positive associations go a long way for helping the child enjoy and be willing to attend therapy. Pair a therapy session with a fun activity afterwards, such as allowing them a special treat or activity.

Creating a Positive Therapeutic Environment
Therapy doesn’t have to come with the same dread as going to get a cavity filled at the dentists. Therapists are committed to making the experience engaging and fun through activities like games, positive reinforcement, and creative expressions like playing with toys or art. Importantly, therapists respect a child’s comfort level and never force them to prolong a session beyond their readiness. The goal is to build positive associations that encourage the child’s enthusiasm to return. Forcing the child to stay longer than they want will not be conducive to learning new skills or building and maintaining trust.

Building Trust Over Time
Establishing trust with the therapist is a gradual process for the child. Similar to adults who may be hesitant to share inner thoughts with a stranger, it is unrealistic to expect immediate trust from a child. The initial few sessions, and sometimes longer, focus on nurturing trust, developing the therapeutic relationship, and gaining a deeper understanding of the child.

Diverse Approaches to Child Therapy
Child therapy doesn’t always appear like the traditional portrayals in the media. Unlike the image of someone on a couch in deep conversation, this is not an accurate representation of child therapy. Most children will not engage in traditional talk therapy to have deep conversations about what is troubling them as adults would. As such, the child therapist is trained to obtain relevant information and provide the child with essential skills through other modalities, such as play.

Home as an Extension of Therapy
While therapists spend limited time with the child during sessions, the caregiver plays a crucial role in reinforcing therapy at home. Just as a child needs reminders for everyday tasks, such as brushing their teeth, caregivers are responsible for prompting and supporting the child in practicing the skills learned during therapy. Like learning any new skill, practice makes progress.

Mutual Engagement in the Therapeutic Process
Caregivers are integral to the therapeutic process. The therapist may offer recommendations based on observed interactions, encouraging caregivers to manage situations and behaviors more effectively. Learning to navigate their own emotions and behaviors equips caregivers to better support their child, sometimes necessitating their own individual therapy.

Collaboration for the Child’s Success
Therapists are allies with the child’s best interests at heart. Open communication is crucial; caregivers should share thoughts and concerns, enabling therapists to tailor the therapy to the child’s unique needs and goals. If a particular approach isn’t yielding results, caregivers are encouraged to communicate with the therapist for alternative strategies. Together, caregivers and therapists form a collaborative team dedicated to the child’s success and well-being.