DBT Intensive Treatment Program

The Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Intensive Treatment Program at the OICBT is based on Marsha Linehan’s evidence-based treatment model for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), and on best-practice models for the treatment of severe anxiety disorders (social anxiety disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Agoraphobia), mood disorders (depression and bipolar), trauma-related disorders (including PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).  It aims to help people enhance their ability to manage their emotions by teaching them problem solving and coping skills. It is a skills-based treatment that is helpful for those experiencing difficulties managing difficult emotions and behaviours. 

This is a comprehensive treatment program involving weekly individual therapy sessions, coach therapy sessions, group therapy, interpersonally-based sessions and/or family accomodation. Our team includes psychologists, social workers, behavioural therapists, and occupational therapists. 

Outline of the DBT Intensive Treatment Program
Patients are involved with the program anywhere between 3.5 hours/week to 10 hours/week, for an average of 12 weeks. This program involves:

  • A tailored case conceptualization and treatment plan based on the client’s presenting issues and therapy/life goals.

  • Weekly coached sessions

  • Weekly individual therapy sessions with a primary therapist

  • Weekly DBT Group therapy (one of the following modules:)

    • Emotion Regulation Skills (9 sessions): Learning to understand, name and change emotions. 

    • Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills (7 sessions): Learning to maintain healthy relationships and foster self-respect

    • Distress Tolerance Skills (8 sessions): Learning to survive and manage crisis periods.

  • Integration of family into treatment with the goal of helping them to recognize and interrupt compulsions through the active reduction of reassurance and accommodation behaviours

  • Home and community-based visits to target symptoms in the environments in which they interfere the most

  • Interpersonally-based sessions focusing on topics such as self-esteem and interpersonal patterns

  • Stepped-care approach tailoring the intensity level based on clients’ needs

This program is offered Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 7:00pm (schedules vary). Prior to being accepted in the program, participants will need to have completed the general intake to assess tailored-treatment needs.

Insurance coverage
This type of service is usually covered for individuals with extended health care benefits; however, we recommend that you follow-up with your insurance company to confirm this. 

Contact information
Please click here to download a fact sheet about our DBT Intensive Treatment Program.  To make an appointment, or to get more information about this service, including the fees, please click on the “Book Now” button at the top of our homepage. If you have any other questions you can contact us by phone (613-820-9931, ext. 0) or by email at info@oicbt.ca