Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Group Therapy
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Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) combines standard cognitive-behavioural techniques for managing emotions, relationships, and distress tolerance with concepts taken from meditation, including mindfulness and acceptance.
Our DBT groups are offered online and when possible, there are in-person groups available. Groups run once per week for 26 total sessions. For participants without a caseworker or mental health therapist, we also offer individual DBT sessions in addition to group therapy.
What to expect
Mental Health and Substance Use Outpatient Services at Vancouver General Hospital offers some limited Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) informed group treatment for people with symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder living in Vancouver.
DBT is a system of therapy developed by Dr. Marsha M. Linehan, a psychologist and a person who has lived experience of mental illness herself, to treat individuals who have difficulties managing their emotions. DBT combines standard cognitive-behavioral techniques for emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance with concepts derived from meditative practices including mindful awareness and acceptance.
Our DBT groups are offered online and when possible, there are in-person groups available. Groups run once per week for 26 total sessions. For participants without a caseworker or mental health therapist, we also offer individual DBT sessions in addition to group therapy.
Intake process update
At this time, we are unfortunately not able to accept new referrals from the community.
Due to operational needs related to the COVID-19 situation, we are currently conducting some of our DBT Program via Zoom Videoconferencing.
The intake process is under review. We are working on developing a more effective method to link people to this treatment, taking into account the high demand for DBT. We understand that limitations in access to this service will have a direct impact on the community we serve, and we are making every effort to meet what needs we are able to. We will provide additional updates as we move forward in this process.