DBT Therapy in Oshawa, Ontario
Comprehensive Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) in Durham Region — Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Courtice & Bowmanville — Plus Virtual Therapy Across Ontario and Nova Scotia
DBT tends to be a good fit for people who feel emotions intensely. The kind of feelings that take over your whole body and stay for hours, sometimes days.
You might look at other people's relationships and wonder how it seems so easy for them. How they can disagree and recover. How closeness does not come with the same fear or intensity that yours does.
A lot of the people I work with have coping strategies they wish they didn't rely on. Some they have never said out loud, not even to a previous therapist. Many have tried therapy before and gotten something out of it, but it stayed on the surface and never reached the parts that really needed the work. When the same patterns keep coming back, it is easy to start believing you are the problem.
What you are describing is called emotion dysregulation, and it responds well to treatment. DBT is structured and skills based, so we are not only talking about what is hard, we are working on what to do when you are in it. Over time, the cycles get smaller and things start to feel more manageable.
Stephanie Campoli Psychotherapy offers a comprehensive, model of DBT in Oshawa and virtually across Ontario and Nova Scotia. As an extensively trained DBT clinician, I provide the full treatment model, so that you receive the structure, accountability, and research-backed outcomes this therapy is known for.
Schedule a free 20 minute consultation to see if the DBT program at Stephanie Campoli Psychotherapy is the right fit for you.
Join Our Virtual DBT Skills Group in Ontario
Next group: TBD — Spaces are Limited
Our virtual DBT skills group is open to anyone living in Ontario — whether you're a current client at Stephanie Campoli Psychotherapy, working with another therapist, or looking for evidence-based skills training on its own.
Each week focuses on one of the four core DBT modules: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. You'll learn practical skills you can apply right away, in a small group setting that combines guided learning with self-directed practice.
Starting in Fall 2026, the program will run as a structured 12-week cycle, facilitated by a registered associate with clinical oversight from Stephanie. The skills group is also offered as one component of our comprehensive DBT program, which pairs weekly individual therapy — in person at our Oshawa office or virtually across Ontario — with the virtual skills group. This combination is especially helpful for people living with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), complex trauma, or chronic emotion dysregulation.
Next group: Fall 2026 — pre-register to secure your spot and be the first to know when registration opens.
What Is Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)?
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a structured, evidence-based treatment originally developed by psychologist Dr. Marsha Linehan to support individuals experiencing intense emotional dysregulation and chronic distress.
DBT blends:
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
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Mindfulness practices
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Acceptance and change strategies
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Behavioural skill development
The word dialectical refers to balancing two truths at once:
You are doing the best you can —
and you can learn new skills to build a life worth living.
DBT is practical, skills-based, and action-oriented. It focuses on helping you create meaningful change while also learning to accept yourself as you are.
Can DBT Help Me?
Comprehensive DBT is particularly effective for individuals who experience:
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Intense or rapidly shifting emotions
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Relationship instability or conflict
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Self-harm behaviours or suicidal thoughts
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Impulsivity (spending, substance use, binge eating, gambling, anger outbursts)
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Chronic feelings of emptiness
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Trauma-related symptoms
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Anxiety and mood instability
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Difficulty tolerating distress
DBT is considered the gold standard treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder and has strong research support for depression, PTSD, substance use disorders, and emotional dysregulation.
If you feel like your emotions often “take over” or your reactions don’t reflect your values, DBT provides concrete tools to help you regain stability and confidence.
Are you wondering if DBT is right for you? Book a free consultation with Stephanie Campoli to discuss your individual concerns and goals for therapy.
Components of Comprehensive DBT
Comprehensive DBT involves four essential components. While many effective talk therapy models integrate one or more components of DBT, the DBT program at Stephanie Campoli Psychotherapy proudly offers all components and uses clinically validated measures to track your progress over time.
1. Individual DBT Therapy
Weekly one-to-one sessions focus on:
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Reducing life-threatening and therapy-interfering behaviours
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Strengthening motivation for change
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Applying DBT skills to real-life situations
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Reviewing structured diary cards
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Conducting behavioural chain analyses to understand patterns
Individual therapy is highly structured and goal-oriented while remaining validating and collaborative.
2. DBT Skills Training
Skills training is a core component of DBT and functions like a class where you learn and practice new tools.
You will learn skills in four modules:
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Mindfulness – staying present and grounded
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Distress Tolerance – surviving crises without making things worse
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Emotion Regulation – understanding and managing intense emotions
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Interpersonal Effectiveness – building and maintaining healthy relationships
Skills training includes structured homework and between-session practice. Change happens through repetition and application — not just insight.
3. Phone Coaching
One of the most unique and powerful elements of DBT is phone coaching.
Phone coaching allows you to:
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Access real-time support when emotions are high
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Apply skills in the moment
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Prevent escalation into harmful behaviours
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Strengthen independence through guided practice
The goal is not dependency — it’s skill generalization. You learn how to use DBT tools in your real life, not just in session.
4. Therapist Consultation Team
As an adherent DBT clinician, I participate in consultation to maintain fidelity to the model. This ensures:
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Ongoing accountability
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High treatment quality
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Alignment with evidence-based standards
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Support in delivering the model effectively
This commitment protects the integrity of your treatment.
In this video, Marsha Linehan discusses the development of DBT for the treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Preparing for DBT Therapy
Making the Commitment:
Comprehensive DBT is a structured and active treatment.
Clients commit to:
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Weekly individual therapy
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Weekly skills training
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Completing diary cards
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Practicing homework between sessions
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Attending consistently
DBT works — but it works best when there is engagement and accountability. This model is designed for individuals who are ready to invest in meaningful change.
If you are unsure whether you are ready, we can explore that together in a consultation.
Investment
Participating in a comprehensive DBT program typically involves a commitment of approximately 6–12 months of weekly therapy. Treatment includes a combination of individual therapy sessions and DBT skills training, with phone coaching available on an as-needed basis to support real-life application of skills between sessions.
While DBT is a structured model, I also recognize that each person’s schedule, readiness, and financial circumstances are unique. I work collaboratively with clients to develop an individualized treatment plan that remains adherent to the evidence-based DBT framework while identifying a sustainable level of care. This may include pacing entry into the full program, prioritizing specific treatment targets, or adjusting the sequence of components so that treatment remains both accessible and clinically effective.
My goal is to maintain the integrity of the DBT model while helping you engage in treatment in a way that is realistic, consistent, and supportive of long-term progress.
Cost for Services:
Individual DBT Therapy Session (50 min) — $165
Individual DBT Skills Training Session (25 min) — $80
Phone Coaching (10 min) — $20 per call
Virtual DBT Skills Group (12-week program) — Pricing details coming for Fall 2026
Course Materials
The DBT Skills Training manual (Revised Ed.) can be purchased by clicking the link below. Alternatively, you will be provided with a free PDF copy of all materials when you begin treatment
A hardcopy of the DBT manual can be purchased on amazon.ca