Welcome to Dialectical Living

We empower individuals, couples, families and clinicians to bring DBT into their experience and lead lives worth living using Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT); a proven approach that helps people with emotion regulation challenges.

At Dialectical Living we have over 14 years experience and our approach is strength based, community and recovery focused. Our mandate is to provide accessible and accommodating DBT programs that are interactive and engaging and fit different budgets, flexible schedules, have few restrictions, require no diagnosis or referral and are anti-stigma, anti-oppressive and LGBTQ1A+ friendly.

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Services

DBT 100 Introduction to DBT

Learning DBT can be fun! We pride ourselves in making learning FUN and interactive! We use powerpoint presentations, videos, role plays, break out groups, games, interactive activities, DBT charades, and group discussions.

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DBT 200 Advanced DBT

Renew, Recharge, Revive! Now that you have learned the DBT basics it’s time to expand your knowledge and skill set! DBT 200 takes what you’ve learned and shows you advanced ways to use your DBT skills and provides you with brand new skills. DBT 200 offers more opportunities for skill practice, self-reflection and group discussion to support your continued learning of DBT.

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Individual Therapy

Do you struggle with your emotions? Do you experience either intense emotions (e.g. guilt, sadness, anger) or suppressed emotions? Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) has been demonstrated to help regulate emotions.

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DBT for Couples

Are you in a relationship with someone who has emotion dysregulation? Do you find it difficult to know what to say and how to de-escalate in times of distress? Or, are you a person who struggles with emotion dysregulation and wishes your partner understood you better and had skills like validation and interpersonal skills to help?

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Families in Need: Compassion in Chaos

Family and friends can feel helpless when a loved one is experiencing extreme emotions and not know where to turn for support for themselves. Understanding emotion dysregulation/borderline personality disorder is important in order to understand our loved ones who are struggling. It’s extremely important for families to learn DBT and other important skills and knowledge in supporting a loved ones recovery and success.

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Free DBT Aftercare Support Group

This group is a dropin style group (come as you like) for clients who have challenges regulating emotions, have BPD or other mental health issues where emotional intensity and dysregulation is central and who have completed a DBT Program within the last 2 years at a recognized DBT organization and are familiar with the skills.

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Talks

Dialectical Living is pleased to be doing talks! Toronto District Catholic School Board (TCDSB)Workshop February 7, 2020 presented by Julie Hayden, MSW, RSW

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DBT for Clinicians

Julie Hayden, MSW, RSW is passionate about spreading the knowledge in the clinical community, doing DBT trainings, caring for clinicians in varying points of care giver burn out, helping with consultation teams and doing supervision.

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School of DBT

Do at your own pace in the comfort of your own home! Interactive, fun, informed and developed by healthcare practitioners with lived experience providing unparalleled support and a wonderfully unique understanding.

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DBT Books

All the amazingly creative artists are those who have been touched by emotion regulation disorder. They have created these images with passion and courage and thoughtfulness about the wellness of those who will colour in it.

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Why Choose Us?

Flexible, Online Programs

Access therapy that fits your schedule and budget, all from the comfort of your home.

Inclusive and Anti-Stigma

Our programs are LGBTQ-friendly, anti-oppressive, and designed to eliminate stigmas surrounding mental health.

Holistic Approach

Experience a blend of group sessions, one-on-one therapy, and engaging do-at-your-own-pace courses for comprehensive emotional well-being

Proven Results

Studies show decreased anger, depression, hopelessness, and anxiety, with improved functioning in various life domains.

Why DBT?

Curious about why DBT could be the key to your emotional wellness?

Watch our brief video for insights into the transformative power of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy.

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide accessible, affordable and free from obstacles DBT, offering an interactive, fun and engaging online experience led by extensively trained DBT professionals with lived experience.

What Are People Saying?

“The set of courses offered by a Dialectically Living are a great resource. It’s not just for those with a diagnosis of BPD. Any human who has emotions could benefit from this course.”

“Elizabeth is very good at guiding the meditations I become so relaxed even with 2 cats and a 7 year old on my tail”

“I am really falling in love with DBT this semester (…) Very calming and reassuring and great meditation sessions -they are done so well-and I love seeing how people are opening and responding”

“I highly recommend Dialectical Living courses. Facilitators are excellent and material helps you grow in DBT skills.”

“I have received an immense amount of value from attending these sessions”

“My daughter melted down this morning and I had more compassion for her than ever before because of what I learned”

“I was very impressed by all the hard work put in by the organizers”

“For the first time in 3 years I actually felt like things will be okay”

“Thank you so much for this amazing course! It has made such a huge difference in my life. The skills are incredibly helpful for anyone who wants to improve relationships”

“I would recommend the mindfulness skills to anyone who has a loved one with any mental illness not just BPD”

“Julie is the “Marsha of the north”!”

“Thanks for your understanding and the time you put in to talk to me. People like you light up our dark world. “