Cope in painful situations.
Live in the moment instead of dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.
Build self-awareness and confidence.
Express yourself effectively.
Say no and get what you want.
Live a life worth living.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is an empirically validated treatment designed to be effective with the most challenging clients. It has been adapted by many people over the years since initially developed by Marsha Linehan, and is considered a gold standard for treating problems related to emotional dysregulation like:
A lack of self-awareness,
Poor self-esteem,
Emotional suffering,
Impulsive and self-destructive behaviours, and
Interpersonal conflict.
Comprehensive DBT programs require weekly individual therapy sessions in order to break down and analyse maladaptive beliefs, emotions and behaviours and replace them with more skillful ways of responding to what life throws at us. Skills training group sessions are an essential element of the program. Here, 4 sets of life skills are taught:
Mindfulness Skills to develop self-awareness and insight,
Distress Tolerance Skills to get through the difficult moments without acting impulsively and against our own interests,
Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills to improve our relationships and get more of what we want out of life, and
Emotion Regulation Skills to increase the good times, reduce the bad times, and live a more balanced life.
DBT therapists are committed to “going where Angels fear to tread”. They believe that clients cannot fail in therapy, so they work hard to ensure that you are getting to the root of the problem, and learning the skills necessary to get more out of life. In order to hold themselves accountable, they are supported by a team of therapists who collaborate to help ensure you achieve your goals.
PEACE Psychotherapy is an association of independent psychotherapists committed to DBT. We believe that empathy and compassion are essential tools for living a good life. All people, no matter how hopeless they feel, have the capacity for change and the desire to live a life worth living. We understand that many people and their families are struggling with powerful negative emotions, impulses and behaviours. We will ask the difficult questions, challenge you, and support you throughout the process.
At PEACE psychotherapy, we are committed to helping people learn
to accept what they cannot change,
to change the things they can, and
develop the wisdom to determine the difference.
Depending on your current challenges, we will help you learn the skills that are most relevant to you. To accommodate the treatment needs of the individual, we provide skills training in both a group and individual format.
The DBT treatment group provides members an opportunity to learn the 4 sets of DBT skills in a therapeutic environment. Members can explore the causes of their suffering, learn and practice new skills, disclose and problem solve challenges as they arise, and work towards achievable life goals. Group treatment can be powerful as it offers real life opportunities to interact with others in a way that transforms relationships.
Many clients do not believe they can cope well in a group setting. Together with your therapist we can determine if and when group therapy is the right fit for you.
The office is close to all three subway lines: Museum Station (2 minute walk), Wellesley Station (9 minute walk) and Bay Station (9 minute walk). Street and lot parking available.