Let’s connect about Couple and Relationship Issues Borderline Personality Disorder Depression Suicidal thoughts and self harm Anxiety Family Stress Divorce Proofing Your Marriage Parenting Support Betrayal, Separation & Divorce Addiction and Substance Use Managing Anger ADHD Grief and Loss Fertility Challenges Trauma Child and Teen Support Impulsivity
Are you experiencing any of the following and looking to talk to someone about it?
Often, couples encounter challenges after they have been together for a while and life starts throwing curveballs. Focused sessions with a therapist can help. Here’s what to expect during therapy.
BPD is a mental health condition. People with BPD have extreme mood swings, unstable relationships and trouble controlling their emotions. They have a higher risk of suicide and self-destructive behavior. Talk therapy is the main treatment for BPD. Click here to learn more about our extensive, evidence based program.
Anxiety and depression are common mental health illnesses many people struggle with. There is hope; these disorders can be treated with psychotherapy and are sometimes supported with medications.
Deliberately hurting your own body, such as cutting or burning, can be a way to cope with emotional pain, intense anger and frustration. Continual or new thoughts of suicide can be scary and sometimes comforting. You’re not alone. Connect now to chat with an expert who will partner with you respectfully and without judgement. If you need immediate help, call 911.
Anxiety and depression are common mental health illnesses many people struggle with. There is hope; these disorders can be treated with psychotherapy and are sometimes supported with medications.
Mood-dependent behaviours, intense mood changes and feeling little control over emotions and/or a steady negative emotional state can leave people feeling isolated, shame and frustrated. We are experts in this. Click here to learn more.
Change is constant in family relationships as members grow up and age. This can sometimes put pressure on the emotional balance of the family unit. A family therapist can help forge togetherness when members grow apart.
The Divorce Proof Your Marriage Program is an opportunity to take your bond to new heights and connect on deeper levels in key areas of relationship success.
According to one study, couples who underwent counselling before their wedding had a 30% higher marital success rate than those who did not. Isn’t your relationship worth it?
Becoming an adult is hard work! During formative years, a child and teen’s brain is not fully formed. This can result in struggles with impulse and emotion control, difficulty planning and decision-making. Sometimes, help a long the way, goes a long way.
Betrayal is the deep cut one feels when someone you trust shatters the foundations of your relationship by breaking that trust. The resulting trauma can be severe. Here’s how therapy can help you navigate the emotions that ensue.
Addiction is characterized by behaviours that include impaired control over substance use, compulsive use, continued use despite harm, cravings. You’re not alone. There are many different pathways to recovery from alcohol and other drug use disorders. We can help.
ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts the brain’s prefrontal cortex, which manages our ability to plan, focus, multitask and remember instructions. Help is available!
Grief is a deeply personal and universal experience that occurs after a significant loss of a family member, friend, pet, or even a job. To grieve the loss, it’s important to work through a wide range of thoughts and emotions that can come up. We can help you navigate this. You’re not alone.
Fertility counseling can cover implications and decision-making counseling including conversations about third party reproduction including sperm and ovum donation, surrogacy and adoption, as well as support counseling and short-term crisis counseling. You aren’t alone on this journey. Let us help.
Trauma is how the human body responds to a highly stressful event. When experienced it can disrupt the nervous system to cause dysregulation.
It can be hard to think about the long term impact of things when struggling with impulsivity. This occurs when we act without thinking or avoid and escape emotional experiences. Often people don’t reach out for help until consequences have been dire. You aren’t alone…and we know how to help! Click here to learn more.
Do you notice a pattern of difficulty keeping relationships steady? Do you find it challenging to get what you want in relationships while keeping your self respect? Do you feel lonely, abandoned, taken advantage of? There’s help. Click here to learn more.
Types of Therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
| Problems to Decrease | Behaviors to Increase |
| Reduced Awareness and Focus; Confusion About Self Not always aware of what you are feeling, why you get upset, or what your goals are, and/or have trouble staying focused | Core Mindfulness Skills |
| Emotional Dysregulation Fast, intense mood changes with little control and/or steady negative emotional state; mood-dependent behaviours | Emotion Regulation Skills |
| Impulsivity Acting without thinking it all through; escaping or avoiding emotional experiences | Distress Tolerance Skills |
| Interpersonal Problems Pattern of difficulty keeping relationships steady; getting what you want, keeping self-respect; loneliness | Interpersonal Effectiveness |
| Additional Interpersonal Challenges Extreme thinking, feeling and acting; absence of flexibility; difficulty navigating conflict or effectively influencing others’ behaviours | Walking the Middle Path Skill |
Individual psychotherapy serves two functions within DBT. Enhance Motivation
Enhance Motivation DBT individual therapy is focused on enhancing client motivation and helping clients to apply the skills to specific challenges and events in their lives. In the standard DBT model, individual therapy takes place once a week for as long as the client is in therapy, and it runs concurrently with DBT skills training.
Structure the Environment with Case Management Case management strategies help the client manage their own life including their physical and social environments. The therapist applies dialectical, validation, and problem-solving strategies in order to teach the client to be his or her own case manager. This lets the therapist consult to the patient about what to do, and the therapist will only intervene on the client’s behalf when absolutely necessary.
Our DBT Program is designed to engage, support and facilitate achievement of your life goals. The DBT program is structured and includes an orientation and commitment phase followed by 20 weeks of simultaneous skills training and individual coaching. In addition, telephone coaching is available that’s designed to help clients generalize skills, prevent suicidal behaviors, and repair therapeutic ruptures. Your therapist will also be a part of a DBT Consultation Team.
Participating in the DBT Program requires commitment and willingness.
What is expected from you?
- Register for the skills group
- Pay for groups
- Attend all group skills training sessions-3 missed groups and you will be making the choice to discontinue with skills training at this time
- Attend regular one on one therapy sessions
- Complete weekly homework – trying and practicing the new skills!
Group Size
Effective and interactive groups groups are limited to a maximum of 10 participants and a minimum of 5.
Group Streams-Contact for pre-group assessment…spots open regularly!
- Youth DBT Group (up to and including grade 8)
- Teen DBT Group (highschool)
- TAY DBT Group (typical ages 16-24) Transitioning into Adulthood
- Adult DBT Group
- DBT Parent Group (often Parents attend this group concurrently when their child is in group)
Individual Coaching
Each participant in a skills group needs to be participating in individual therapy-with a DBT focus- at the same time as the skills groups. is encouraged to be engaged in individual therapy alongside skills group to achieve the best outcomes. You can work with a Canadian Psychotherapy Alliance Therapist or someone else who is comfortable practicing DBT.
Fees
Skills group cost $100 per session for 20 weeks plus 2 commitment and orientation groups
Skills training is taught in groups during weekly sessions over 20 weeks. Group leaders assign homework to help clients practice the skills in their everyday lives. In addition to group skills training, clients attend individual therapy once per week.
This seminar provides an introduction to Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). DBT is a treatment originally designed to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD). In recent years, it has been effective in treating many other disorders in which emotional dysregulation plays a key role such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
Following an introduction to DBT theory and how this treatment differs from traditional cognitive behavior therapy, we’ll discuss dysregulation in the context of DBTs five modules: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness and dialectics and how these layer onto each other, supporting someone to create their life worth living.
Tough Emotions 101
This seminar provides an overview of tough emotions. Do you or someone you know struggle with managing emotions? Learn about this common experience, where it comes from, what it feels like and what can be done to better understand and manage intense emotions in this informative seminar. Held in a bright classroom, this interactive seminar offers provides an opportunity to ask tough questions, in a safe environment.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a structured, time-limited, problem-focused and goal oriented form of psychotherapy. CBT helps
people learn to identify, question and change how their thoughts, attitudes and beliefs relate to the
emotional and behavioural reactions that cause them difficulty.
It helps people to develop skills and strategies for becoming and staying healthy. CBT focuses on the hereand-now—on the problems that come up in day-to-day life. CBT helps people to examine how they make
sense of what is happening around them and how these perceptions affect the way they feel.
CBT:
- is structured
- is time-limited (usually 12-20 sessions)
- is problem-focused and goal-oriented
- teaches strategies and skills
- is based on a proactive, shared therapeutic relationship between therapist and client
In CBT, clients learn to identify, question and change the thoughts, attitudes and beliefs related to the emotional and behavioural reactions that cause them difficulty. By monitoring and recording thoughts during upsetting situations, people learn that how they think can contribute to emotional problems such as depression and anxiety. CBT helps to reduce these emotional problems by teaching clients to:
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The CBT model is built on a two-way relationship between thoughts (“cognitions”) and behaviours. Each can influence the other. There are three levels of cognition:
Behaviour can be changed using techniques such as self-monitoring, activity scheduling (for depression) and exposure and response prevention (for anxiety). |
There has been a lot of research on CBT. Evidence suggests that it is particularly effective in treating anxiety and depression. CBT has also been tailored to other specific problems.
For example, CBT is also used to treat:
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CBT Anxiety Group:
- CBT is an evidence-based treatment that is scientifically proven to reduce anxiety. CBT works by focusing on the components that facilitate anxiety symptoms. To learn more about Anxiety & CBT, read the ‘Anxiety and CBT…what’s it all about’ blog on our website.
- 12 weeks, once per week/90 minutes. Fee: $100/ group + 1 pre & 1 post group individual session (see fees policy), workbook/group material, pre/post measurement tools & all groups.
- Commitment: Two individual sessions (1 assessment session & 1 discharge/next steps planning session with therapist), all groups & practicing of new skills outside of group time.
- CBT is an evidence-based treatment that is scientifically proven to reduce depression. CBT interventions for depression generally focus on helping clients become more engaged in activities that they value and have given up since becoming depressed. Treatment also involves helping clients evaluate negative beliefs about themselves, the world, and the future, which lead to them to feel depressed.
- 12 weeks, once per week/90 minutes. Fee: $90/ group + 1 pre & 1 post group individual session (see fees policy), workbook/group material, pre/post measurement tools & all groups.
- Commitment: Two individual sessions (1 assessment session & 1 discharge/next steps planning session with therapist), all groups & practicing of new skills outside of group time.
Couples Counselling
Couples therapy (also called couples counselling) is essential for any relationship that needs deeper intimacy, stronger communication, greater trust or repair following a regrettable incident.
The Gottman Method is designed to support couples across all economic, racial, sexual orientation, and cultural sectors. Research has shown Gottman Method Couples Therapy to be effective for treating both opposite–sex and same-sex relationships. Some of the relationship issues that may be addressed in therapy include:
- Frequent conflict and arguments
- Poor communication
- Emotionally distanced couples on the verge of separation
- Specific problems such as sexual difficulties, infidelity, money, and parenting
The Gottman Method is an approach to couples therapy that includes an assessment of the relationship and integrates research-based interventions based on the Sound Relationship House theory.
The Gottman Method strives to assist couples in achieving a deeper sense of understanding, awareness, empathy, and connectedness within their relationships that ultimately leads to heightened intimacy and interpersonal growth. By combining therapeutic interventions with couples exercises, this type of therapy helps couples identify and address the natural defenses that hinder effective communication and bonding.
Couples who enter into the Gottman Method Couples Therapy begin with an assessment process that then informs the therapeutic framework and intervention. Initial sessions might look like this:
- Assessment: A joint session is followed by individual interviews with each partner. Couples complete questionnaires and then receive feedback on their relationship.
- Therapeutic Framework: The couple and therapist decide on the frequency and duration of the sessions.
- Therapeutic Interventions: Interventions are designed to help couples strengthen their relationships in three primary areas: friendship, conflict management, and creation of shared meaning. Couples learn to replace negative conflict patterns with positive interactions and to repair past hurts. Interventions designed to increase closeness and intimacy are used to improve friendship, deepen emotional connection, and create changes which enhances the couples’ shared goals. Relapse prevention is also addressed.
- The goals of Gottman Method Couples Therapy are to disarm conflicting verbal communication, increase intimacy, respect, and affection, remove barriers that create a feeling of stagnancy in conflicting situations, and create a heightened sense of empathy and understanding within the context of the relationship.
Premarital/Pre-Commitment Counselling
Premarital counselling is an opportunity to take your bond to new heights and connect on deeper levels in key areas of relationship success. According to one study, couples who underwent counselling before their wedding had a 30% higher marital success rate than those who did not.
- Premarital counselling is focused on prevention and enhancing the positive qualities of the relationship. It’s important to set the groundwork of effective communication from the beginning. Too many couples jump into marriage thinking they can just figure it out on their own and are shocked at how hard things feel after the honeymoon is over.
- Many couples develop toxic communication patterns or stop communicating completely, and slowly slip further and further away from the loving, compassionate, relationship they used to have. Much of this is preventable by learning some basic strategies and tools for making a marriage work from the beginning. Premarital counselling with CPA involves assessment, education, and guidance to prepare you for a long lasting and happy marriage.
You’ve picked the perfect venue, gorgeous flowers, a stunning dress and jumping music-congratulations! Have you remembered the most important piece to planning a successful marriage? Divorce Proof it! We can show you how.
The Canadian Psychotherapy Alliance has built the Divorce Proof Your Marriage Program based on scientific studies and clinical wisdom from our world’s leading experts on relationships. This program will enable you to engage in fun and constructive conversations to nurture a love that can grow for a lifetime. Because forever is worth the investment. Register now! admin@talktherapycanada.com
Topics covered include:
- Trust and Commitment
- Addressing Conflict
- Sex & Intimacy
- Work &Money
- Family
- Fun & Adventure
- Growth & Spirituality
- and more!
The program modules are explored through interactive, exciting lectures, exercises and activities. Come prepared to think, feel and connect yourselves to new depths!
You can participate in the Divorce Proof Your Marriage Program in session with you and your partner, in a weekly group session with other couples, or through the intensive weekend retreat.
Fall 2022 Dates
Thursdays 7pm-8:30pm September 8 to November 10 2022 Session is FULL
Wednesdays 7pm-8:30pm October 5 to December 7 Session is FULL
Tuesdays 8pm-9:30pm November 1 to January 10 (no session December 27) Session is FULL
Winter 2023 Group Dates
Tuesdays 8pm-9:30pm January 10 to March 14 limited spaces available
Wednesdays 7pm-8:30pm January 11 to March 15 Spaces available
Thursdays 7pm-8:30pm January 12 to March 16 Spaces available
Fridays 12pm – 1:30pm February 10 to April 10 Spaces available
Thursdays 7pm – 8:30pm March 23 to May 25 Spaces available
Winter and Summer 2023 Intensive Retreats
Intensive retreats are a fun and engaging long weekend that catapults you towards a deeper relationship based on mutual understanding and shared commitment. The program modules are explored through interactive, exciting lectures, exercises and activities. Come prepared to think, feel and connect yourselves to new depths!
Dates and Locations coming soon
Connect for more information and to be added to the waitlist admin@talktherapycanada.com
Spring and Summer Group Dates/Times-Coming Soon
Connect for more information and to be added to the waitlist
admin@talktherapycanada.com
FEATURED PROGRAM
DIVORCE PROOF YOUR MARRIAGE PROGRAM
The Canadian Psychotherapy Alliance has built the Divorce Proof Your Marriage Program based on scientific studies and clinical wisdom from our world's leading experts on relationships. This program will enable you to engage in fun and constructive conversations to nurture a love that can grow for a lifetime.
Because forever is worth the investment. Register now!
Program Modules Include:
Trust and Commitment
Addressing Conflict
Sex & Intimacy
Work & Money
Family
Fun & Adventure
Growth & Spirituality
and more!
The program modules are explored through interactive, exciting lectures, exercises and activities. Come prepared to think, feel and connect yourselves to new depths!
According to one study, couples who underwent counselling before their wedding had a 30% higher marital success rate than those who did not. Isn’t your relationship worth it?
You can participate in the Divorce Proof Your Marriage Program in session with you and your partner, in a weekly group session with other couples, or through the intensive weekend retreat.
Fall 2022 Dates
Thursdays 7pm-8:30pm September 8 to November 10 2022 Session is FULL
Wednesdays 7pm-8:30pm October 5 to December 7 Session is FULL
Tuesdays 8pm-9:30pm November 1 to January 10 (no session December 27) Session is FULL
Winter 2023 Group Dates
Tuesdays 8pm-9:30pm January 10 to March 14 limited spaces available
Wednesdays 7pm-8:30pm January 11 to March 15 Spaces available
Thursdays 7pm-8:30pm January 12 to March 16 Spaces available
Fridays 12pm - 1:30pm February 10 to April 10 Spaces available
Thursdays 7pm - 8:30pm March 23 to May 25 Spaces available
Winter and Summer 2023 Intensive Retreats
Intensive retreats are a fun and engaging long weekend that catapults you towards a deeper relationship based on mutual understanding and shared commitment. The program modules are explored through interactive, exciting lectures, exercises and activities. Come prepared to think, feel and connect yourselves to new depths!
Dates and Locations coming soon
Connect for more information and to be added to the waitlist
Spring and Summer Group Dates/Times-Coming Soon
Connect for more information and to be added to the waitlist
CONNECT YOUR WAY
The Canadian Psychotherapy Alliance (CPA) offers a variety of ways to connect and meet your needs
In Person
In Person therapy is a way to begin working on your goals within a confidential, safe and non-judgemental space. Each therapist’s office is slightly different, but all spaces are warm and inviting, a place to come in, unload and feel comfortable and supported. Offices provide a confidential space to work through a variety of issues.
Phone
Some find therapy sessions to be more enjoyable from the comfort of their own home or office. Scheduling, work and home demands can make it difficult to come into the therapy clinic. For convenience, we offer a telephone option. For best results, it’s important to have a quiet place free of distractions with good phone or cellphone service.
Online
Some find therapy sessions to be more enjoyable from the comfort of their own home or office.
Scheduling, work and home demands can make it difficult to come into the therapy clinic.
For convenience, we offer online counseling, which research and feedback shows can produce the same wonderful results as in-person options.
To participate in online sessions, it’s best to have a quiet, confidential space and a good internet connection.
Group
In group therapy, participants work with a small group (generally up to 12 participants) and a therapist to build knowledge and skills on a specific topic. The duration, frequency and length of group therapy programs varies.
Sometimes people participate in Group Therapy alone or in conjunction with Individual Therapy. In addition to knowledge and skill growth, a group setting offers participants the wonderful benefit of sharing with others tackling similar therapeutic concerns. This serves many benefits. Curious?
Connect now and we can chat more about it!
