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Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) - Associated Youth Services of Peel: AYSP

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Associated Youth Services of Peel

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

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.