You can expect to spend two hours learning and practicing DBT skills that are applicable to your ED recovery as well as your day-to-day life with other individuals. Each group is structured and your facilitators will guide you through the 2 hour session which includes:
Mindfulness Exercise
Review of Homework
Skill Teaching
Break
Skill Teaching and Practice
Homework Assignment
Mindfulness Exercise
what should I bring?
Something to write with
Layers to make sure you are at a comfortable temperature
what should I leave at home?
We are not permitted to allow food in the space- we will allow for some time to eat at break. There is space in the building to eat both before and after group time.
We ask that you avoid wearing any strongly perfumed scents.
why 12 sessions?
DBT skills are traditionally offered over the course of 24 weeks for 1.5 hours each session. A recent study found that offering the skills over a course of 12 weeks for 2 hours each session was equally effective for binge eating and bulimia. This schedule saves you both time and money. Best of all, it gets you the full curriculum of skills in the fastest way possible so that you can start making changes!
what are the group norms?
Our commitment to you is that meetings will start and end on time.
We will maintain a respectful environment.
Facilitators are open to feedback. We are here to support group members to navigate any concerns/ challenges that may arise in a group setting.
All personal information will remain confidential with the exception of:
If you disclose or it is strongly suspected that you or someone else under the age of 16 have been abused
If you disclose or it is strongly suspected that you are in danger of harming yourself or another person
If you disclose or it is strongly suspected that a health care provider has sexually abused you.
If a professional regulatory college (e.g. the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers) conducts a chart audit of clinical files
if your chart is subpoenaed by court order
What if I cannot attend a session?
We have 12 weeks and 24 hours together to make significant change in your life and we think this time is precious. It is important that you attend every session as all of the skills are important and they are progressive and cumulative.
This is a true dialectic: we understand that life happens AND we ask that you prioritize the time we have together.
If you are ill, please let your facilitators know as soon as possible.
when/WHERE do the groups run?
We run the DBT skills group 2 to 3 times a year per year.
The next start date is September 21st, 2017.
Groups run on a Thursday evening from 7 to 9pm.
The group is held in a studio at Artscape Youngplace (180 Shaw Street) - check out the building here! There is a café located in the building.
To be eligible for the group, you must meet the following criteria:
You must be 17 years of age or older
You must have regular contact with a health care professional like a family doctor or psychiatrist
You cannot be affected by substances such as drugs or alcohol when you attend groups
You must be able to attend weekly sessions as the entire curriculum is important and cumulative
What is the cost of the group? What methods of Payment are accepted?
Each 120 minute session is $80.
If you have third-party insurance, it may cover all or part of the cost of a therapeutic course. Both of your facilitators are registered Social Workers practicing psychotherapy. We recommend that you contact your insurance provider to confirm what health professions your plan covers (e.g. Psychologist, Psychotherapist, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, Naturopath) and that this coverage includes the types of therapies in question (sometimes there are restrictions on the particular services covered by a given health profession).
Receipts will be issued upon completion of the course. We accept cash, personal cheque or e-transfer as methods of payment.
Is the building/room accessible?
Artscape Youngplace is fully accessible by Ontario standards, with a wheelchair ramp at the 180 Shaw Street doors, an elevator servicing every floor and a fully accessible washroom on every level. The nearby 63 Ossington bus on the TTC is wheelchair accessible.
The studio provides folding chairs for participants of the group. We can make alternative arrangements for individuals - please ask!
