The DBT program provides therapeutic services to youth ages 12-17 who have experienced suicidal thoughts, actions, and/or self-harming behaviour in addition to quality of life-interfering behaviours and interpersonal issues. Support includes weekly in-person individual therapy sessions and group skills training, 24/7 phone coaching for youth and caregivers, and family counselling as needed. Treatment ranges from 6-12 months.
Goals of the Program:
- To decrease life-threatening behaviours (e.g. self-injurious behaviour, suicidal thoughts, threats and/or attempts)
- To increase personal coping skills
- To decrease quality-of-life interfering behaviours (e.g. impulsivity, substance use, truancy)
- To provide support and education to the caregivers of the adolescents in the DBT Program
Inclusionary Criteria:
- Youth who reside in Peel
- Youth ages 12 – 17 years
- Youth who experience several of the following:
- Life-threatening behaviours
- Quality-of-life interfering behaviours
- Recurrent suicidal thoughts or attempts
- Difficulty in interpersonal relationships
- Frequent mood swings
- Intense fear of abandonment
- Sense of emptiness or confusion about self
- Family conflict
Exclusionary Criteria:
- Youth who are actively suicidal, homicidal or in need of crisis stabilization
- When the safety of the Worker cannot be ensured
- Where youth has active episodes of psychosis, visual and/or auditory hallucinations which impact functioning
- Youth has a cognitive impairment which impacts capacity for insight and new learning
Referral Sources:
- Self-referrals
- Community Service Providers
- Peel CAS
- Peel School Boards
- Hospitals
- Youth Justice Services
Referral Process:
For consultation regarding appropriateness for the DBT program, please contact the AYSP Intake Specialist at 905.890.5222. If suitable, the Youth Intake Specialist will arrange to complete an Intake, ChYMH Screener + and subsequent assessments. The youth will then be placed on the DBT waitlist.