DBT Skills Group

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.

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

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.

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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.
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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.

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.

The cost of this program is $1100 which covers all 12 sessions of the program. Clients who complete their intake call and register at least 14 days before the group start are eligible for the $900 early bird price. After each group session has been completed, clients will 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. Let us know if we can help you with that.

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.

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.

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.

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Early Bird Pricing is now available! To be eligible for early bird pricing each client needs to complete their registration process and pay the first instalment at least 14 days prior to the group start date.

This initiative provides free spots in Layla’s Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills Groups to individuals facing affordability barriers. Up to six spots per group are available at no cost, offering some access to high-quality mental health support for those in need.

To be eligible, you must:

- Be facing affordability challenges (self-declared)

- Be referred by a registered healthcare provider, such as a family doctor, psychiatrist, nurse, social worker, or walk-in clinic. (If this remains a challenge, please contact us to discuss.)

- Be eligible for the DBT program as determined by an intake with a Layla Program Facilitator

You can apply through the above sign-up form embedded on our website. You will be asked a few questions to guide you through the process.

A $40 fee is charged to confirm registration once you’ve completed the free call with the Layla Program Facilitator. This fee will be refunded in full upon completing the 12-week DBT program, provided you attend all or nearly all sessions. This ensures commitment to the program while making it financially accessible.