DBT Skills Group

Illustration of of three people sitting on chairs in a circle talking

Do you struggle with managing intense emotions, getting through distressing situations, or maintaining relationships? If so, the Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Skills Group may be right for you.

What it is

As part of the online 12 week/2-hours per week DBT Skills Group, participants work in a group format with a dedicated Layla partner therapist to:

  • Gain control of their emotions and thought patterns
  • Increase ability to act and communicate effectively with others
  • Implement Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) techniques and strategies including:
  • Mindfulness
  • Distress tolerance
  • Emotion regulation
  • Interpersonal effectiveness

Through years of research and mental health practice, we now know that DBT can be an effective therapy for a number of mental health concerns, including: Borderline Personality Disorder, Anxiety, Depression and Mood disorders, Suicidal ideation, Self-harm, Binge eating disorder, Substance use disorders

Program Lead and Upcoming Dates

Day Starting Time Status
Tues May 2 2023 6-8 MST/8-10 EST Full
Portrait image of Lisa Huntsburg, DBT therapist

Lisa Huntsburg, MSW RSW

Registered Social Worker
Available in ON, NS and AB.

Day Starting Time Status
Tues June 6 2023 6-8pm EST/7-9pm AST/4-6pm MST Open
Portrait image of Lisa Huntsburg, DBT therapist

Lisa Huntsburg, MSW RSW

Registered Social Worker
Available in ON, NS and AB.
Day Starting Time Status
Wed July 5 2023 6-8pm EST/7-9pm AST/4-6pm MST Open
Day Starting Time Register by
Tues June 6 2023 6-8pm EST/ 4-6pm MST /7-9pm AST June 2
Wed July 5 2023 6-8pm EST/ 4-6pm MST /7-9pm AST July 3

Do you have a baseline level of training in DBT Skills? If so, our DBT Advanced Skills Roundtable may be a better fit for you.

Sign up for this group

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ​Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)?

DBT was first designed for clients with Borderline Personality Disorder, a population characterized by emotion dysregulation. DBT is now widely used to treat other mental health concerns, including anxiety and mood disorders. The comprehensive model of DBT is completed over one year and includes individual therapy, skills group, phone coaching and consultation team. Want to learn more about DBT and how it works? Click here.

What if the listed dates do not work for my schedule?

Not a problem! You can fill out the digital intake and book a call with our team to chat more about upcoming groups!

Planning to travel?

Participants must attend virtual sessions from the province listed on their home address when they registered for group. This is because the group facilitator must be registered to practice in the province where the client is attending group sessions.

What will I need to access the online sessions?

All sessions will be completed online through Layla’s secure video portal. Participants are encouraged to use a desktop or laptop computer, for the best user experience.  Our Layla Platform for therapy sessions can be accessed on the following devices listed here.

Planning to travel? Participants must attend virtual sessions from the province listed on their home address when they registered for group. This is because the group facilitator must be registered to practice in the province where the client is attending group sessions.

Is the DBT Skills program right for me? 

The DBT Skills program is designed for adults over the age of 18 whose emotions (i.e. fear, anger, shame, sadness, guilt) and thoughts interfere with their overall quality of life. In other words, people whose mental health challenges are characterized by emotion dysregulation.

In advance of registering for the program, the Layla team can help you assess fit for this program.

At this time, the program is open to residents of Ontario, Alberta and Nova Scotia.

What if once the group starts I am having a hard time participating?

If you find you are having trouble participating, experiencing anxiety in the groups setting, or feel you aren’t getting enough from the group, please email the lead therapist to set up a phone conversation to explore this issue further and get support. Oftentimes, this is a matter of coming up with a strategy or working on coping skills, or perhaps doing some individual sessions as well.

You may cancel or withdraw with a full refund any time prior to 5 business days before the group start date. Excluding extenuating circumstances, withdrawals and refunds are not accepted after the group has commenced.

How does the online group format work?

There will be up to 10 participants in each group. Each online group session will be structured with an opening mindfulness practice. Each session will include the introduction of new skills, discussion, examples, and homework practice review. Materials including handouts and worksheets will be provided prior to the start of each group. 

Sessions will be conducted through secure video, and participants will be asked to commit to confidentiality. Only your first name will be used with other group members, and sessions will not be recorded. This program will include up to 10 participants.

Can I contact the facilitator outside of group sessions?

The group facilitator is available to respond to non-urgent questions outside of sessions but is not accessible for emergency or crisis support. You may forward your non-urgent questions to the facilitator via email and expect an answer on group day prior to the start of group. In the event of an emergency or crisis, please call 911 or go to your nearest Emergency Department for further assistance.

How much does the 12 week DBT group cost?

This program is offered at a total of $900 including tax, which covers all 12 sessions / 24 hours of the program. Clients receive a receipt with the facilitator’s license information that may be used for extended health benefits reimbursement. We encourage you to check your health benefits to verify if you are covered for services provided by a Registered Psychotherapist and/or Registered Social Worker (or let us know if we can help with that).

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