Skills for when emotions feel too big.
DBT teaches concrete skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness — built for people whose feelings move fast and arrive loud.
Skills you can use, not just insights you can have.
DBT was developed by psychologist Marsha M. Linehan at the University of Washington through the 1980s, with the first randomised trial published in 1991 and the full treatment manual in 1993 (Linehan, 1993; Linehan et al., 1991). It was originally designed for chronically suicidal women diagnosed with borderline personality disorder — clients for whom standard cognitive-behavioural therapy alone wasn’t enough. Linehan added an explicit emphasis on acceptance, drawn in part from Zen practice.
The “dialectical” in the name is the core insight: you can fully accept yourself as you are and work on changing what isn’t working. Both at the same time. The acceptance is what makes the change possible.
It’s evolved well beyond its original use. DBT and DBT-informed skills work has since been studied for emotion dysregulation, self-harm, suicidal behaviour, eating disorders, PTSD, and substance use (Stoffers-Winterling et al., 2022). The strongest evidence base remains in borderline personality disorder, but the core skill set is useful for many people whose emotional responses arrive faster than their thinking can keep up.
What DBT actually teaches.
Mindfulness. Noticing what’s happening in your body and mind without judgement. The foundation everything else rests on.
Distress tolerance. Getting through a crisis without making it worse. Skills for the moment when the feeling is unbearable.
Emotion regulation. Understanding emotions, identifying what triggers them, and shifting the intensity when needed.
Interpersonal effectiveness. Asking for what you need, saying no, and keeping the relationship intact — without folding or attacking.
When DBT fits.
- Emotion dysregulation
- Self-harm
- Suicidal ideation
- Borderline traits
- Intense mood swings
- Eating disorders
- PTSD & complex trauma
- ADHD emotional reactivity
- Substance use
- Relationship conflict
If you’re not sure DBT is right, that’s what the consult is for. We’ll talk through what’s going on and whether DBT skills, CBT, ACT, or another approach is the best fit.
Individual DBT-informed therapy.
Our therapists offer DBT-informed individual sessions — meaning we teach and apply the skill modules in the context of regular sessions. This isn’t the full DBT program (which adds a separate skills group and 24/7 phone coaching); for that, we’ll refer you to a clinic that runs the full model.
What DBT-informed work looks like in practice: clear focus on the skills you most need, between-session practice on something concrete, and a balance of acceptance work (this is hard, and you’re doing your best) with change work (and here’s what we’re going to try differently).
FP therapists trained in DBT.
Browse and click into a bio. The free consult is a call to talk through fit, fees, and insurance.
“I see strength as an innate characteristic in all people.”
“Radical presence, radical compassion, radical acceptance, radical tenderness.”
“Seeking support from caring others is a brave first step in dealing with hardship.”
“Underscoring every strong therapeutic bond between client and therapist is trust, mutual respect, and understanding.”
“Your trust in me is a privilege, and I am here to support and guide you every step of the way.”
“I aim to create a caring space for you to feel seen, heard, and respected as we navigate your journey together.”
“I believe in the importance of authenticity, curiosity, and hope in our therapeutic relationship.”
“Taking the step to start therapy is an act of courage and self-care — and I'm here to support you.”
“Every story, identity, and experience deserves to be understood, honoured, and met with compassion.”
A few things people ask first.
Do you offer the full DBT program with skills group?
No. We offer DBT-informed individual work. The full DBT program adds weekly skills group and 24/7 phone coaching — if that’s the right fit for you, we’ll refer you to a Calgary clinic that runs it.
Do I need a BPD diagnosis for DBT?
No. DBT skills help anyone whose emotional responses feel oversized. Many of our clients don’t meet criteria for any specific diagnosis — they just want a better toolkit for handling what comes up.
What if I’m in crisis right now?
Therapy bookings aren’t the right path in a crisis. If you or someone you’re with is in crisis or needs urgent help, please reach out: Distress Centre Calgary — 403-266-4357; Alberta Mental Health Line — 1-877-303-2642; Alberta Addictions Helpline — 1-866-332-2322. For emergencies, call 911.
What if my DBT needs ongoing crisis-aware care?
We’ll talk in the consult about whether our scope is the right fit, or whether a higher level of care — like a hospital-based DBT program — is what you need.
Does my plan cover DBT?
Most extended health plans cover Registered Psychologists and Provisional Psychologists regardless of the modality used. See the rates page for details on coverage and direct billing.
References
Linehan, M. M. (1993). Cognitive-behavioral treatment of borderline personality disorder. Guilford Press.
Linehan, M. M., Armstrong, H. E., Suarez, A., Allmon, D., & Heard, H. L. (1991). Cognitive-behavioral treatment of chronically parasuicidal borderline patients. Archives of General Psychiatry, 48(12), 1060–1064. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.1991.01810360024003
Stoffers-Winterling, J. M., Storebø, O. J., Kongerslev, M. T., Völlm, B. A., Mattivi, J. T., Faltinsen, E., Todorovac, A., Jorgensen, M. S., Callesen, H. E., Sales, C. P., Schaug, J. P., Simonsen, E., & Lieb, K. (2022). Psychotherapies for borderline personality disorder: A focused systematic review and meta-analysis. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 221(3), 538–552. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.2021.204
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). (2009, updated 2018). Borderline personality disorder: recognition and management (CG78). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg78
Twenty minutes. On the phone. Free.
Tell us what’s going on and ask anything — insurance, format, fees, what a first session looks like. You’ll be on the call with one of our therapists, and we’ll go from there together. If we’re not the right practice for you, we’ll say so.