Youth DBT (12-14)


If you’re thinking of joining us for Youth DBT, here’s everything you need to know!

What is DBT?

Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is a type of cognitive-behavioural therapy that teaches social and emotional life skills.  The main goals of DBT are to teach people how to live in the moment, develop healthy ways to cope with stress, regulate their emotions, and improve their relationships with others.  In this program, we introduce the four key elements of DBT, leaving room for healthy discussion, debate and application as we work through the material with age-appropriate examples and activities:

  • Mindfulness:
    Remaining present and focused, harnessing our attention

  • Emotional Regulation: 
    Learning about our feelings, how they affect our bodies and brains, and how to move through them in helpful ways

  • Distress Tolerance: 
    Dealing with hard, boring, unfair and uncomfortable situations, managing through the tough stuff and climbing out of ‘thinking traps’

  • Interpersonal skills: 
    Effectively communicating what we feel and think to others, and reading other peoples’ social cues so we know how to respond appropriately

  • Optional Extra Executive Function Module:
    For our Youth and Teen programs, we have developed an extra 6-week Executive Function module with Certified Teachers and Executive Function Coaches, which builds on the emotional regulation themes learned during youth DBT and targets school-specific challenges, applying DBT-based skills to study strategies to equip middle and high schoolers with the tools they need to succeed as learners (includes physical and digital templates and resources to keep for future use) – this course can be completed individually, in pairs or in small groups.

Who is it For?

  • Youth DBT is for 12-14 year olds
  • DBT is for everyone who wants to build a healthy social-emotional foundation for life!

Why would we join?

  • You, a doctor or a teacher may have noticed your youth could use extra support managing their big feelings/moods (also known as emotional regulation), working on age-appropriate social & communication skills, and dealing with discomfort (working through the hard, boring, frustrating or non-preferred tasks that come up every day)
  • You may recently have been given a diagnosis such as ADHD, ASD or Anxiety and you are looking for ways to understand and manage these challenges as a family
  • You may be looking to help your youth manage anxiety around re-entry to post-pandemic activities, expectations and routines, or recover lost social confidence due to the Covid gap.

Where & when is it happening?

  • 144 Wilson St E, Ancaster, between Halson & Jerseyville
  • Fall session runs from September 28 to December 14
  • Wednesdays from 7.30 – 9.00pm
    (If the current start dates won’t work for your family, you can always join our waitlist for the next group starting!)

What is included?

  • Complimentary 30-minute intake (standard clinic practice)
  • Introductory 1:1 Parent Orientation session
  • Introductory 1:1 Orientation session with DBT coach to set individual goals
  • 12 weeks of 90-minute small group sessions, billed weekly at $150/week
  • One 60-minute individual coaching session for your teen in the second half of the program to individualize the content
  • Weekly email update with skills videos explaining content for parents & families
  • Weekly content-only make up session available for kids who missed the group session in the case of absence due to illness or emergency
  • Interactive parent workshops with parent coach, DBT facilitator and social worker, spaced throughout the program

How much does it cost & how is it billed?

  • Total course cost is 1800 $150 per week for 12 weeks ($300 deposit due on registration)
  • The financial commitment for Youth DBT is for the full course duration of twelve weeks
  • Participants are billed every week regardless of attendance
  • Course is covered under  most benefit plans (MSW/Social Worker/Mental Health Counsellor) and billing can be shared between participating family members – talk to us if you need help interpreting your benefit plan
  • Ontario Autism Program funds as well as SSAH (Special Services At Home) funds can be directed towards this program
  • A credit card number is required on file, with paid receipts emailed weekly after each group session
  • OPTIONAL EXTRA:  individual parent or child coaching sessions are also available at any time ($150/session)

Bonus Features

  • Therapists really get to know your young person over time, so they can help them target specific personal challenges
  • Youth are supported while they make and maintain friendships with each other throughout the course (making new friends is a common highlight for course graduates!)
  • Constant parent feedback means we can use language and examples that are meaningful to your kids, helping them make real-life connections that make a positive difference to the dynamic in your home

Ready to register ..?

Before you begin, if you’re brand new to NowWhat, we’ll book you an intake to get to know your needs and see if DBT is a good fit for your family. To start the registration process, please Contact Us