The Top 5 Dialectical Behaviour (DBT) Therapists in Toronto
When you’re looking for a specialized form of therapy like DBT, it can feel hard to know where to start.
Here at KMA Therapy, we know you want to feel empowered when starting your therapy journey - beginning with choosing the best therapist for you. For over 15 years, we’ve helped our clients and community learn about local therapy options and helped them find the right fit for them.
After reading this article, you’ll know important criteria for choosing a DBT therapist and five great therapy options where you can begin your search.
Comparing the Best DBT Therapists in Toronto
When searching for a DBT therapist, there are a few different things to look for in order to ensure they’re the right fit for you.
DBT is a specialized form of therapy, meaning therapists need additional training to be able to provide it to you.
Certified DBT Therapists
The only way a therapist can become a Certified DBT Therapist is if they’ve been certified by the DBT-Linehan Board of Certification.
As becoming a Certified DBT Therapist is a lengthy and extensive process, there are a limited number of therapists in Toronto who have been certified by this board.
Seeing a Certified DBT Therapist is often the best choice if you’re looking for an expert in DBT, you’re experiencing more severe mental health symptoms, or you’re experiencing symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder.
Certificates in DBT
Alternatively, therapists may complete university-level courses in practicing and implementing DBT.
These Certificates in DBT are comprehensive training programs that allow therapists to improve their clinical skills and equip them to use DBT in their practice, but does not give them the official title of Certified DBT Therapist.
You may also be comfortable seeing a therapist who has another form of extensive DBT training or experience - for example, many Certified DBT Therapists offer DBT training to other therapists.
Many therapists who have a certificate or another form of training in DBT will use it as part of their practice for anxiety, depression, and anger management.
Determining a Therapist’s Experience with DBT
When choosing a therapist, explore whether they have a DBT Certificate from an accredited university, a DBT-LTC Certificate from a certified program (DBT-LTC means the program has been accredited by the Linehan Board of Certification), or another form of extensive DBT training.
This can feel like a lot of information to process, but once you start looking at therapists, you’ll now be able to quickly understand what their credentials mean.
Remember, if a therapist lists “DBT” as a method they use in therapy but doesn’t elaborate on their experience, don’t be afraid to ask for more details!
Other things to consider when choosing a DBT therapist include:
- Their specialized training (DBT Certificate, DBT-LTC Certificate, DBT-Linehan Board of Certification Certified DBT Clinician, or equivalent DBT training)
- Their general therapy training and credentials (they should be a registered psychologist, psychotherapist, or social worker)
- How much experience they have using DBT as part of their practice (and for what issues)
- How empathetic, sensitive, and receptive to feedback they are
- Whether they offer online or in-person therapy services
- Their cost and whether they take your insurance
- Their location and accessibility
The 5 Best Dialectical Behaviour (DBT) Therapists in Toronto
In no particular order, we’ve gathered a list of our favourite DBT therapists and therapy practices, highlighting some great features that each offers.
While choosing a therapist is a highly personal decision, this list is a great resource to help you get started.
This list includes group practices and individual therapists, with options that range from specialized DBT programs to more flexible therapy plans that use DBT as one method of treatment.
1. Equilibrium Mental Health and Wellness
Website: https://equilibrium.care/
Cost: From $180 - $250 for individual sessions, including sliding-scale options (inquire for detailed rates for each therapist and group sessions)
Founded by three practitioners at CAMH, Equilibrium Mental Health and Wellness was designed to “create a community-oriented space where excellent treatment was delivered with warmth and compassion.”
They specialize in Dialectical Behaviour therapy, offering both online and in-person individual therapy services for a wide range of issues and concerns.
Issues they focus on include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Chronic pain
- Grief and loss
- Relationship issues
- Borderline personality disorder
Clinic directors Lyndsey Davies, MSW, RSW and Shira Green, MSW, RSW are both Certified DBT Clinicians with the DBT-Linehan Board of Certification.
Highlight: Equilibrium offers virtual DBT Group Therapy which includes sessions for mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
2. Lalonde Psychology
Website: https://lalondepsychology.com/
Cost: $245 for individual session, $250 for couples session (offers a free 15-minute consultation)
The main philosophy behind Lalonde Psychology is to “develop lives that nourish and fulfill souls through growth and healing.”
Dr. Carmen Lalonde is a registered psychologist who holds a doctorate in psychology and two master's degrees, and is a Certified DBT Clinician with the DBT-Linehan Board of Certification.
Her DBT services include therapy for individual adults, youth, and children, couples therapy, family therapy, group therapy, and trauma therapy.
Lalonde Psychology’s values include:
- Growth
- Respect
- Expertise
- Inclusivity
- Compassion
Highlight: Dr. Carmen Lalonde is an expert in gender-affirming care, and helps individuals and families navigate the process of coming out and understanding gender identities.
3. Ariel Blau Psychotherapy
Website: https://www.arielblau.com/
Cost: $200 per session with some sliding-scale options available
With over 20 years of experience, Ariel Blau, MSW has a “formidable passion for helping you live a joyful, loving and creative life.”
Ariel Blau trained in DBT at Yale University with Dr. Seth Axelrod, PhD, who was one of America’s leaders in DBT.
Ariel Blau Psychotherapy’s values include:
- Humour
- Respect
- Non-judgement
- Generous feedback
- Kindness and compassion
- Anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices
Highlight: Ariel Blau has a 4.9 star rating from 111 reviews on the Lumino Health network, offers services in both English and Spanish, and stays up to date with a range of innovative therapy workshops.
4. The DBT Clinic
Fees: From $190 - $270 per individual session
The DBT Clinic, as you can tell from the name, specializes in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. Their Adult DBT program involves a combination of individual therapy sessions and group therapy sessions.
Founded by Dr. Andrew Spice, a Certified DBT Clinician with the DBT-Linehan Board of Certification, The DBT Clinic is “dedicated to helping clients to achieve less suffering and greater peace, and to build the lives they want to live.”
Their programs are often most helpful for adults experiencing:
- Intense emotions
- Impulsive behaviours
- Depression and anxiety
- Problems in relationships
- Self-harm or suicidal behaviour
(If you’re experience thoughts of harming yourself or thoughts of suicide, remember that you’re not alone and help is available. Visit the Suicide Crisis Hotline for a list of resources in Toronto. You can also call or text 988 for immediate crisis support. If your safety is at risk, please call 911.)
Highlight: Experts in DBT, The DBT Clinic offers services for adults, adolescents, and families, and are able to provide psychological assessments and diagnoses for a wide range of issues.
5. Zoe Cohen Psychotherapy
Website: https://www.zoecohentherapy.com/
Cost: $200 per individual session, $240 for couples sessions (with some sliding-scale availability)
Zoe Cohen, MSW, “believes that the quality of your relationships dictates the quality of your life.” The main focus of her practice is to help you “find harmony with yourself and vitality with others to lead the life you want to live.”
Zoe Cohen is a Certified DBT Clinician with the DBT-Linehan Board of Certification.
Areas of focus at Zoe Cohen Psychotherapy include:
- Intense emotions & overwhelm
- Anxiety & depression
- Relationship issues
- Sadness & grief
- Life transitions
- Trauma
Highlight: In addition to her extensive expertise in DBT, Zoe Cohen incorporates a wide range of therapies, from the Gottman method to mindful self-compassion, in her practice. She draws from a wide range of modalities to create a therapy plan customized to suit your needs.
Next Steps for Choosing a DBT Therapist in Toronto
After reading this article, you know how to choose a great DBT therapist, how to identify a trained DBT therapist, and five great choices where you can start looking for the best DBT therapist for you.
Here at KMA Therapy, we’re passionate about helping you have a great experience with therapy, whether you start therapy at our practice or any other great practice in Toronto.
To learn more about therapy at KMA, Register Online to connect with our team or visit our DBT Therapy page to learn more.
If you’d prefer to keep reading, explore these related articles:
- What is Dialectical Behaviour Therapy? (The Pros and Cons of DBT)
- 22 Questions to Ask Your New Therapist
- What Type of Therapist Should I See?
About the Author
Emily Weatherhead has a Masters in Community Psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University, where her research focused on improving post-secondary student mental health. She is passionate about finding new ways to make mental health research more accessible and break down the barriers that prevent people from receiving mental health care.
