SERVICES

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

What is DBT?

For individuals who struggle with extremely intense emotions and the destructive behaviors that can go along with that, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) offers an approach to treatment that can be life-changing.

Acceptance and change are the heart of DBT because it validates the reality of someone’s pain while helping them hold the truth that change is possible. Through individual and group work, DBT helps them learn to accept their emotions without necessarily acting on them. At the same time, they’re empowered to replace harmful behaviors with skillful ones.

For many who have tried and failed a thousand times to overcome extreme emotion dysregulation, the mindful, supportive, and structured nature of DBT offers a chance to build a life worth living.

Pioneered by Dr. Marsha Linehan to help chronically suicidal individuals, DBT is now considered the gold standard for treating borderline personality disorder (BPD). It can also help those who struggle with emotion dysregulation, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance abuse, and PTSD. DBT is available to anyone regardless of their diagnosis.

OUTCOMES

In-house research shows that those who participate in our DBT program for a full year have a 28% reduction in difficulties in emotion regulation, 105% increase in overall state, a 49% reduction in borderline symptoms, a 45% reduction in problematic borderline behaviors, and an average 43% reduction in behavior and functioning difficulties after the first year*.
*Data collected using the BASIS-32, BSL-23, and DERS.

DBT Options

Inner Solutions™ offers a few different options for DBT Therapy. It is highly recommended that individuals complete our Comprehensive DBT Program in full to receive the highest likelyhood of improvement. This program works as a combination of weekly individual sessions, a 24 week skills group, and in the moment guidance on skills use with phone coaching. Clients should expect a commitment of about a year for best results.

If deemed applicable by their therapist, individuals can receive DBT-Informed Therapy. DBT-Informed treatment incorporates the principles of DBT but does not require all the aspects or stages of the Comprehensive program.

Families looking to register their adolescent (ages 15-17) for DBT Therapy must enrol in our 24 week DBT-A Multi Family Skills Group, which works in combination with weekly individual sessions and in the moment guidance on skills use with phone coaching. It is mandatory that parent(s) attend and participate in the Multi Family Skills Group as well as be available to meet individually if it is deemed effective for their adolescent’s progress in treatment. Families should expect a commitment of about a year or more for best results.


A LASTING PATH TO WELLNESS

Inner Solutions™ is a Certified DBT Program

DBT-Linehan Board of Certification has granted Inner Solutions™ Ltd. the distinction of being a Certified DBT Program. This recognition reflects the need for accurate and full-fidelity delivery of DBT. Our mission is to assure those we work with that they are getting the highest standards of practice when entering into a treatment protocol.

We stand on the ethical delivery and practice of empirically supported, evidence-based treatments delivered from a team of determined, passionate professionals who are invested in bringing together all our knowledge to assist your struggles.

Note: Inner Solutions™ is the only Certified DBT Program in Western Canada, and Jessica Heil (Clinical Director and Clinical Supervisor) is Alberta’s only certified DBT clinician.