Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) in Toronto

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If you find yourself stuck in cycles of emotional highs and lows, struggling with stress, or facing challenges in your relationships, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) can help. At Toronto Therapy Practice (TTP), we provide DBT support to manage difficult emotions, improve relationships, and reduce tension. Whether you're navigating the family-building journey, dealing with fertility struggles, adjusting to parenthood, or handling personal or professional stress, DBT equips you with practical skills to feel more in control and balanced.

With DBT, you’ll learn tools to regulate emotions, build healthier relationships, and respond to life’s challenges with greater ease.

What is DBT Therapy?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy is an evidence-based psychotherapy that combines cognitive-behavioural techniques with mindfulness practices. DBT focuses on helping people develop the skills to manage difficult emotions, communicate more effectively, and build healthier relationships.

Key Components of DBT:

  1. Mindfulness: Staying present and fully engaged in the moment

  2. Distress Tolerance: Coping with difficult situations without making them worse

  3. Emotion Regulation: Understanding and managing intense emotions

  4. Interpersonal Effectiveness: Improving communication and relationships

How Does DBT Help?

  • Emotional Regulation: Helping individuals manage intense emotions.

  • Mindfulness Skills: Developing the ability to stay present in the moment.

  • Distress Tolerance: Acquiring techniques to cope with difficult situations.

  • Interpersonal Effectiveness: Improving communication skills and setting healthy boundaries.

  • Self-Compassion: Learning to treat oneself with kindness and understanding.

  • Crisis Management: Developing strategies to handle crisis situations.

  • Goal-Setting and Problem-Solving: Breaking down overwhelming problems into manageable steps.

DBT for Postpartum Depression (PPD) and Postpartum Anxiety (PPA)

Becoming a parent is one of life’s most transformative experiences, but it can also feel overwhelming. DBT offers practical strategies to:

  • Reduce emotional overwhelm and feel more grounded

  • Manage intrusive thoughts or anxious feelings

  • Stay grounded in the present moment, reducing anxiety about the future.

  • Improve communication and reduce conflict between partners

  • Find balance between self-care and caregiving

  • Foster greater emotional connection as new parents

  • Develop a kinder inner dialogue, countering negative self-talk and unrealistic expectations.

  • Navigate challenging moments with newborns or young children without becoming overwhelmed.

Supporting Couples Through Infertility and Pregnancy Loss

The family-building journey isn’t always straightforward—it can involve unexpected challenges, such as infertility, pregnancy loss, and parenting stress. DBT equips individuals with tools to stay emotionally regulated and improve communication during these difficult moments.

For Infertility & Pregnancy Loss: DBT helps couples process grief, frustration, and fear while maintaining connection and mutual support. DBT offers: 

  • Validation: Learn to acknowledge and accept each other's feelings without judgment.

  • Emotional Resilience: Develop skills to cope with the rollercoaster of emotions during fertility treatments or after a loss.

  • Effective Problem-Solving: Work together to make decisions about treatment options or next steps.

  • Mindful Grieving: Process grief and loss while staying connected to your partner and your values.

DBT for Stresses of Parenthood

Becoming a parent is a joyful but challenging transition. DBT can help you:

  • Balance Self-Care and Child Care: Learn to prioritize your own well-being while meeting your child's needs.

  • Manage Parental Anxiety: Develop strategies to cope with worries about your child's health, development, or future.

  • Navigate Relationship Changes: Adjust to new roles and maintain a strong partnership while parenting.

  • Build a Support Network: Improve interpersonal skills to connect with other parents and access support when needed.

Dialectical Behavioural Therapy at Toronto Therapy Practice

At Toronto Therapy Practice, our therapists bring extensive experience in perinatal mental health and family-building challenges. We tailor DBT therapy to meet your unique needs, helping you:

  • Rebuild emotional stability after the birth of a child or a difficult loss

  • Strengthen your relationship as you move through family-building stressors

  • Feel more in sync and connected with your partner, even in the midst of change

  • Manage tension and conflict with greater compassion and understanding

Meet the Team

  • smiling therapist

    Mila Arsenijevic MSW RSW

    Founder, Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist

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  • smiling therapist

    Rebecca Songhurst MSW RSW

    Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist

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  • smiling therapist

    Ruth Diemer MSW RSW

    Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist

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  • smiling therapist

    Emilie Baillarino MSW RSW, MBA

    Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist

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  • smiling therapist

    Alana Jackson MSW RSW

    Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist

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  • smiling therapist

    Caroline Nikiel MSW RSW

    Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist

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