COVID-19 –  Zoom services & in-person services available

 

DBT

DBT services

Dialectical Behavioural Therapy is an evidence-based treatment developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) as well as other diagnoses and symptoms such as anxiety, mood disorders, substance use, eating disorders, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, trauma, etc. Participating in a comprehensive DBT program is shown to have a positive impact on the above mentioned and other common difficulties. It is critical to be sure that your DBT therapist is truly qualified to practice DBT. 


When DBT is not done as designed, the results may be inadequate and cause the person to lose hope in treatment. Therefore, getting the best outcomes possible from DBT requires a comprehensively trained DBT therapist who provides treatment that adheres to the DBT model. We are the only centre in Montreal to offer comprehensive DBT therapy. We are also the only centre in Quebec with a DBT Linehan Board of Certification™ Certified Program and Clinicians.

Comprehensive DBT includes

Individual therapy
(50 min once a week)

Group Skills training
(2 hours per week)

Phone coaching
(as needed)

Depending on the need of the individual as well as the agreement between the individual and the therapist,
DBT either be carried out in a group and/or individually.

How do you choose a DBT therapist/ program?

Here are some questions to help ensure that you are choosing the right DBT therapist for you:

  • Have you completed a DBT Foundational Training?
  • Are you currently a member of a DBT consultation team?
  • Are you supervised by an experienced DBT therapist?
  • How often do you attend DBT trainings?
  • Do you teach DBT skills classes weekly?
  • Do you practice Behavior Chain Analysis?
  • Are you familiar with the main sets of DBT strategies (CBT, validation, dialectics)?
  • Do you provide phone coaching?
  • Do you use Diary Cards?
  • Are you an DBT-Linehan Board of Certification, Certified Clinician™ or do you have one on your consultation team?


We hope this provides you with a guideline of what to expect from a properly trained DBT therapist. At Greyzone we strive to provide DBT treatment of the highest quality standard.

Read below To learn more about OUR Different DBT Services

or contact us directly here
CONTACT US

DBT for Children

DBT-C is a specialized adaptation of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy designed to support the emotional and developmental needs of children. This evidence-informed approach focuses on helping children build effective coping skills to manage intense emotions, while also guiding parents in supporting their child’s progress. Though relatively new, DBT-C has shown promising results in improving emotional regulation and strengthening family relationships—empowering children to thrive at home, in school, and with friends.

DBT-C is an adaptation of DBT designed for children aged 6–12 who struggle with intense emotions, impulsivity, and behavioural outbursts. It teaches children effective coping strategies and equips parents with tools to support their child’s emotional growth at home.

 

When to consider DBT-C:
DBT-C may be helpful if your child frequently experiences:

 

  • Intense emotional reactions
  • Anger outbursts or aggression
  • Impulsivity, hyperactivity, or attention difficulties
  • Black-and-white thinking or difficulty with transitions
  • Trouble with relationships or delayed gratification

 

These behaviours may occur with conditions such as DMDD, ADHD, anxiety, or depression. Early intervention with DBT-C can help improve emotional regulation and reduce future mental health risks.

 

What to expect:
DBT-C includes two components:

 

  • Individual Therapy for the Child: Focuses on understanding emotions, building coping skills, and addressing challenging behaviours.
  • Parent Skills Training: Helps parents reinforce DBT skills at home, create a validating environment, and support their child’s progress long-term.

 

Parents play a key role in DBT-C. You’ll learn essential strategies like behaviour reinforcement, validation techniques, and how to manage emotional challenges—both for your child and yourself.

DBT for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders

DBT-PTSD is a specialized, evidence-based approach that integrates comprehensive DBT with targeted treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. For clients ready to address PTSD early in their care, we offer DBT combined with Prolonged Exposure therapy, based on the innovative protocol developed by Dr. Melanie Harned—an expert in DBT and a direct trainee of Dr. Marsha Linehan.

DBT-PTSD is for those who have co-occurring diagnoses of PTSD, which develops in response to having experienced or witnessed one or more traumatic events, and other concerns such as depression, anxiety, substance-use, chronic pain, insomnia, or behaviors that are life threatening or quality of life interfering.

 


Our therapists will assess your history and current symptoms at intake to determine your diagnosis and whether DBT-PTSD is a good fit for you.

Build a life worth living, without PTSD.

 

What to expect?

  • Weekly individual therapy before engaging in PTSD treatment.
  • Once engaged in PTSD treatment, two weekly individual therapy session (50 minutes per session).
  • Once weekly group DBT skills training.

DBT for Eating Disorders

Comprehensive DBT is not suitable for all individuals with eating disorders, nor are all eating disorder clients appropriate for DBT. However, DBT may be a strong option when standard, evidence-based treatments have been ineffective, when there are co-occurring mental health conditions, or when difficulties with emotion regulation are a core part of the disorder.

We offer DBT-informed treatment for a range of eating-related concerns, including:

  • Anorexia Nervosa
  • Bulimia Nervosa
  • Binge Eating Disorder
  • ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)
  • Emotional Eating
  • Body Image Concerns
  • Other Disordered Eating Patterns

 

Treatment Goals May Include:

  • Nutritional and weight restoration (as needed)
  • Reducing and eliminating eating disorder behaviours
  • Developing healthier emotional responses to food and body image
  • Building long-term coping skills through DBT

 


At intake, our therapists will assess your history, symptoms, and goals to determine an accurate diagnosis and whether DBT is the right fit for your treatment.

 

What to Expect:

  • Weekly individual DBT therapy
  • Weekly DBT skills group
  • Nutrition support, if needed

 


Our approach is collaborative and tailored to each client’s unique needs.

DBT for Substance Use Disorders

DBT-SUD is an adaptation of standard DBT developed by Dr. Linda Dimeff, designed for individuals facing both substance use challenges and co-occurring mental health concerns. This approach supports clients in working toward dialectical abstinence—the goal of complete sobriety while incorporating harm reduction strategies to manage setbacks and reduce risky behaviours.

DBT-SUD supports clients in building the skills needed for long-term recovery by helping them:

  • Increase awareness of urges to use substances—and learn how to tolerate or reduce them effectively
  • Strengthen motivation to stop using alcohol or drugs and manage difficult emotions like anxiety, depression, and anger without relying on substances
  • Create and maintain an environment that supports a substance-free lifestyle

 

 

Our trained DBT clinicians provide individualized therapy and phone coaching as needed, offering support when and where it matters most.

Radically Open DBT

Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO DBT) is an innovative, transdiagnostic treatment developed by Dr. Thomas Lynch. It is specifically designed for individuals struggling with disorders characterized by excessive self-control—also known as overcontrol (OC). These include conditions such as anorexia nervosa, chronic depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which are often difficult to treat using traditional approaches. RO DBT combines individual therapy sessions with skills training classes and focuses on five key features of overcontrol:

  • Inhibited or inauthentic emotional expression
  • Excessive detail orientation and cautious behavior
  • Rigid adherence to rules and routines
  • Aloof or distant interpersonal style
  • Heightened social comparison, envy, and bitterness

This evidence-based approach helps clients increase openness, flexibility, and genuine social connection—core components of emotional well-being.

What Is Psychological Well-Being in RO DBT?

In Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO DBT), psychological health is viewed as a balance of three interrelated traits:

 

  • Receptivity and Openness: the willingness to explore new experiences and accept feedback, even when it challenges our existing beliefs.
  • Flexible Control: the ability to adapt behavior in response to changing circumstances and environmental demands.
  • Intimacy and Social Connectedness: the capacity to form meaningful, lasting relationships, rooted in the evolutionary importance of cooperation and group living.


At the heart of RO DBT is the concept of Radical Openness—a central philosophy and teachable skill. Radical Openness is both a mindset and a behavior: it involves actively seeking out what we don’t know about ourselves in order to grow, adapt, and connect with others. Practicing Radical Openness fosters humility, enhances learning, and strengthens relationships by modeling a genuine willingness to be influenced by others and by the world around us.

 

What to Expect from RO DBT Treatment

RO DBT includes both weekly group sessions and individual therapy, led by clinicians trained in this evidence-based approach:

 

  • Group Therapy (1.5 hours per week, 12 weeks) In structured, therapist-led groups, participants learn and practice skills across RO DBT’s core modules. Sessions include group discussion, experiential exercises, and homework assignments (such as mindfulness practice). Group members are encouraged to share thoughts and experiences, offering and receiving support in a safe and respectful space.
  • Individual Therapy (50 minutes per week) One-on-one sessions focus on reinforcing skills learned in group, addressing personal challenges, and problem-solving behaviors that may interfere with progress. The individual format also helps maintain motivation and tailor the treatment to each person’s unique needst

Support for Families

Our 10-week parent group is designed for caregivers of teens or young adults who struggle with emotional dysregulation, including those who engage in risky behaviors, self-harm, or experience suicidal thoughts.

This group provides education on Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and related conditions, introduces the principles of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and offers practical strategies for supporting your child with compassion and confidence.