IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL THERAPY
DBT Therapy in Guelph | Dialectical Behaviour Therapy | True North Psychotherapy
Comprehensive, evidence-based DBT — individual sessions and group skills training — for adults and youth working through intense emotions, impulsivity, and relationship difficulties.
15+ years of clinical experience
•
Team of Registered Social Workers & Psychotherapists
•
In-person in Guelph and virtual across Ontario
What is Dialectical Behaviour Therapy?
DBT is an evidence-based therapy originally developed to support people navigating borderline personality disorder (BPD). It’s now widely used for emotional dysregulation, impulsive behaviours, relationship instability, and urges to self-harm. DBT combines individual therapy with group skills training across four core areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Who DBT is For
DBT is often recommended for adults and youth who experience intense or fast-shifting emotions, difficulty tolerating distress, impulsive behaviours, or patterns of conflict in relationships. If you’ve found that talk therapy alone hasn’t given you practical tools for the moment things feel unmanageable, DBT is built specifically for that gap — teaching skills you can use in real time, not just insight after the fact.
How DBT Works at True North Psychotherapy
Our DBT programming pairs weekly individual therapy with our DBT Skills Training Group, giving you both one-on-one support and a structured space to practise skills alongside others working through similar challenges. Individual sessions focus on your specific situation and goals; the group walks through the four DBT skills modules in sequence, so you build a full toolkit over time.
- Mindfulness — staying grounded in the present moment
- Distress Tolerance — getting through crisis moments without making things worse
- Emotion Regulation — understanding and shifting emotional intensity
- Interpersonal Effectiveness — asking for what you need and setting boundaries
DBT is offered in-person at our Guelph offices and virtually across Ontario, so you can build these skills in whichever format works for your life.
OUR APPROACH
What you can expect when you work with us
Initial Contact
Reach out by phone, email, or our contact form to discuss your needs and schedule a consultation.
Consultation
We’ll talk through your concerns, goals, and whether DBT — individual, group, or both — is the right starting point.
Intake Process
You’ll complete a brief intake form and review our treatment contract, covering policies, confidentiality, and what to expect.
Assessment
In your first few sessions, we’ll assess your needs and build a personalized DBT treatment plan.
Therapy Sessions
Begin regular 50-minute individual sessions, and join the DBT Skills Group if that’s part of your plan.
Ongoing Support
We continue to review your progress together and adjust your plan as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is DBT therapy and how is it different from CBT?
DBT is a structured, skills-based therapy that grew out of CBT but places more emphasis on balancing acceptance with change — helping you accept where you are right now while still building toward meaningful shifts in how you manage emotions and relationships. It’s especially suited to intense or hard-to-regulate emotional experiences.
Who is DBT therapy best suited for?
DBT tends to be a strong fit for people navigating BPD, chronic emotional dysregulation, self-harm urges, or repeated relationship conflict — though many clients come to DBT simply looking for concrete tools to manage overwhelming emotions.
Do I need to join the DBT group, or can I do individual sessions only?
Both options are available. Some clients do individual DBT sessions only; others combine individual therapy with our DBT Skills Training Group for a more complete program. Your therapist can help you decide what fits your goals.
How long does DBT therapy take?
Timelines vary by individual. Our DBT Skills Training Group runs as a 20-week program, while individual DBT therapy continues for as long as it’s clinically appropriate and useful to you — some clients continue for months, others for longer.
Does True North Psychotherapy offer virtual DBT sessions?
Yes. Both individual DBT sessions and our DBT Skills Training Group are available virtually to clients anywhere in Ontario, in addition to in-person sessions at our Guelph office.
Upcoming Group Sessions
Adult DBT Skills Training Group Every Tuesday
Location:
Virtual (Zoom)
Age Group:
Adults 18+
Ready to Build Skills for Managing Intense Emotions?
Action shrinks anxiety. Book a free consultation and take the first step toward the life you want to live.