DBT Therapy Edmonton - Comprehensive Dialectical Behaviour Therapy at CDMH
Building a Life Worth Living, One Skill at a Time
CDMH’s new Comprehensive DBT (Comp-DBT) program is a structured, evidence-based treatment for adults and teens struggling with intense emotional experiences, self-harm, chronic distress, or borderline personality features. Edmonton and online.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Simply Explained
What Is DBT and How Does It Work?
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) was originally developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan at the University of Washington. It is one of the most extensively researched evidence-based treatments available for emotional dysregulation.
DBT builds upon cognitive behavioural techniques and integrates mindfulness and acceptance strategies to help people build practical skills for managing intense emotions, improving relationships, tolerating distress, and reducing self-destructive behaviours.
“Dialectical” refers to balancing opposites, specifically, the balance between accepting yourself as you are while also actively working to change. DBT is direct, skills-based, and goal-oriented.
DBT-Informed Therapy vs. Comprehensive DBT — What's the Difference?
At CDMH, we distinguish between DBT-informed therapy and Comprehensive DBT (Comp-DBT), because this distinction matters for the level and depth of care you receive.
DBT-Informed Therapy
DBT-informed therapy, delivered individually or in a group, may teach DBT skills; however, the application and depth of treatment is typically less structured and intensive, and routinely does not include all components of a complete Comprehensive DBT program.
Comprehensive DBT (Comp-DBT)
Comprehensive DBT identifies and targets a participant’s life-interfering behaviours, teaches the entire set of DBT skills, and focuses on their targeted application — holding participants to their goals and actively supporting behaviour change. This is the model that the research evidence is based on, and it is the model CDMH delivers.
What Makes a DBT Program 'Comprehensive'?
A Comprehensive DBT program, formally referred to as DBT, includes all four core components of DBT treatment as developed by Dr. Linehan:
01
Individual DBT Therapy
Weekly one-on-one sessions with your DBT therapist focused on your personal goals, crisis management, and skill application.
02
DBT Skills Training Group
Weekly group sessions teaching DBT’s four skill modules: Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, and Interpersonal Effectiveness.
03
Telephone Coaching
Access to your individual therapist between sessions for in-the-moment skills coaching during crises or skill application moments.
04
Therapist Consultation Team
CDMH clinicians meet regularly in a DBT consultation team to support each other in delivering effective, consistent DBT care.
~3 hours
per week
Comp-DBT is a resource-intensive program that requires a commitment of approximately 3 hours per week: a 2-hour weekly DBT skills group and a 1-hour individual therapy session.
Participants are also expected to complete weekly homework related to both sessions to ensure skills are being practised and applied in daily life. It is also highly beneficial for Comp-DBT participants to be connected with a mental health provider outside of the Comp-DBT program, to support continuity of care following program completion.
This structure is what distinguishes Comprehensive DBT from DBT-informed approaches or DBT skills groups alone, and it is the structure that the research supports most strongly.
Is CDMH's Comp-DBT Program Right for You?
DBT is especially effective for people who experience:
DBT can also benefit people with eating disorders, substance use disorders, PTSD, ADHD, and persistent depression, particularly when emotional dysregulation is a significant component.
- Intense, overwhelming emotions that are difficult to manage
- Chronic thoughts of self-harm or suicidal ideation
- Borderline personality disorder (BPD) or features
- Patterns of unstable relationships and interpersonal conflict
- Chronic feelings of emptiness or identity instability
- Impulsive or self-destructive behaviours
- Difficulty tolerating emotional distress without acting out
Evidence Supporting Comprehensive DBT
There is a growing body of empirical research demonstrating that Comp-DBT is an effective treatment for helping clients build meaningful skills and move toward a life worth living.
While Comp-DBT was originally developed for individuals with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD) presenting with chronic suicidality, research continues to show its effectiveness across a wide range of presentations involving emotional dysregulation and life-interfering behaviours.
There is also emerging evidence supporting Comp-DBT in school and community settings, suggesting that Comp-DBT’s skills can assist individuals in building daily life competencies — regardless of whether a formal mental health diagnosis is present.
Who Leads CDMH's Comp-DBT Program?
CDMH’s Comprehensive DBT program is led by Ms. Ellen Klaver, a registered psychologist who has extensive training and experiences in DBT. Additionally, the CDMH DBT team includes clinicians with advanced, specialized DBT training.
Ms. Elaine Chan, M.OT., OT.reg(AB), RCT, who holds advanced DBT certification, is a core member of the Comp-DBT team, alongside other CDMH clinicians with extensive DBT experience. Ms. Chan has over 11 years of mental health experience, including extensive work in inpatient and community psychiatric settings, and brings deep expertise in DBT alongside CBT, MI, ACT, IFS-informed approaches, and more.
Starting the CDMH Comp-DBT Program
Step 01
Free 15-Minute Consultation
Discuss whether Comp-DBT is the right fit for your needs and history.
Step 02
Screening Interview
Meet with a CDMH DBT clinician to review your history, treatment needs, and ensure a good fit with the Comp-DBT program structure.
Step 03
Ongoing Weekly Sessions
Both individual DBT therapy (1 hour) and the DBT skills group (2 hours) — 3 hours per week in total. Skills are introduced over 6 months, with the option to renew for up to one year, pending assessment by the individual therapist and the consultation team.
Step 04
Transition Planning
Upon completion of the program, clients can transition to individual psychotherapy (regular stream) or enroll in additional group programming at CDMH including an additional round of Comp-DBT.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between DBT and CBT?
CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) focuses primarily on identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours. DBT is considered a third-wave cognitive behavioral therapy, adding a strong emphasis on mindfulness, acceptance, and dialectical thinking, particularly for people whose emotional experiences are so intense that standard CBT is insufficient. DBT also uniquely includes skills group training and telephone coaching as core components.
How long is the CDMH Comp-DBT program?
DBT programs typically run for 6 months to 1 year, depending on program structure and client needs. Please contact CDMH directly for the specific schedule and duration of our Comp-DBT program.
Is DBT covered by insurance in Alberta?
DBT services provided by regulated professionals are typically eligible for extended health benefits coverage. Many plans cover individual DBT therapy sessions with a registered psychologist or social worker. Group therapy coverage varies by plan. Contact CDMH and your insurance provider for specifics.
Do I need to have a borderline personality disorder (BPD) diagnosis to access Comp-DBT?
No. While DBT was originally developed for BPD, it is now recognized as effective for a broad range of presentations involving emotional dysregulation, self-harm, substance use, eating disorders, ADHD, and PTSD. Your clinician will assess fit during the screening interview.
What are the four DBT skill modules?
The four modules taught in DBT Skills Group are: (1) Mindfulness: learning to be present in the moment; (2) Distress Tolerance: surviving crises without making things worse; (3) Emotion Regulation: understanding and managing intense emotions; and (4) Interpersonal Effectiveness: how to maintain relationships and assert needs without burning bridges.
Is the CDMH Comp-DBT program offered virtually?
CDMH offers both in-person and online services. Please inquire directly about the format available for our current Comp-DBT program intake.
What are CDMH's expectations around attendance in the Comp-DBT program?
Participants commit to the full 6-month program before beginning. Attendance at both weekly individual and group sessions is expected. Four consecutive missed sessions (across group and individual combined) would prompt a collaborative conversation about barriers to treatment and potentially an early conclusion of the program. A 1:1 session is typically held before any termination is finalized.
What is the confidentiality policy within the DBT skills group?
Comp-DBT focuses on applying skills to real-life situations. Group participants are encouraged to share current challenges so that therapists can demonstrate how skills apply. Because of the personal nature of this sharing, participants are expected not to share identifying information about other group members outside of the group. Participants may, however, share the skills they learn with their own support network to support their progress.
What is CDMH's cancellation policy for the Comp-DBT program?
Consistent communication with your group and individual therapist is essential to keep your treatment on course. If you cannot attend a session due to planned or unforeseen circumstances, please inform your therapist as soon as possible. Cancellations within 24 hours of a scheduled appointment are subject to a cancellation fee.