Expert Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) Services in Canada
Melissa Davies brings specialized DBT training and eight years of clinical experience to clients struggling with emotional regulation, self-harm, and intense relationships. As a Registered Clinical Counsellor licensed in British Columbia, she combines traditional DBT skills training with mindfulness practices and somatic approaches that help you build distress tolerance and manage overwhelming emotions. Her practice serves clients across Vancouver Island and throughout BC via secure online sessions, with direct insurance billing available for most extended health plans.
What sets Bee Here Counselling apart for DBT is the integration of holistic healing methods alongside evidence-based therapy. You get comprehensive DBT skills training in emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and crisis survival, plus access to complementary approaches like Reiki and breathwork when appropriate for your healing process. Melissa works extensively with trauma survivors and Indigenous communities, providing culturally responsive care that honours all backgrounds while focusing on building the practical life skills DBT teaches. Sessions are available in 50 or 90-minute formats, allowing deeper work when you need it most.
Finding Balance When Emotions Feel Overwhelming
When intense emotions control your daily life, simple tasks become mountains to climb. You might find yourself swinging between emotional extremes, struggling with relationships, or using harmful coping strategies just to get through each day. At Bee Here Counselling and Therapy, we understand that emotional dysregulation isn’t a character flaw. It’s a learned response that can be unlearned through dialectical behavioural therapy skills training.
DBT offers four core modules that create lasting change: distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness. These aren’t abstract concepts but practical tools you’ll use immediately. Melissa Davies, our Registered Clinical Counsellor, integrates DBT with somatic approaches and mindfulness techniques from her background as a Reiki Master. This combination helps you understand not just what you’re feeling, but how emotions show up in your body and relationships.
Our approach recognizes that healing happens differently for everyone. We welcome clients from all cultural backgrounds and provide specialized support for Indigenous families through our First Nations Health Authority provider status. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, relationship conflicts, or trauma responses, DBT skills become your toolkit for building the life you want. Sessions are available in person, online, or by phone, making support accessible when you need it most.
What Is Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)?
Individual counselling is a one-on-one therapeutic relationship between you and a trained mental health professional. It’s personal. It’s confidential. At Bee Here Counselling and Therapy in Nanaimo, BC, individual counselling provides a safe space where you can address mental health challenges, emotional difficulties, and life transitions at your own pace. Our approach uses Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) alongside other evidence-based methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and mindfulness practices to help you build emotional regulation skills, manage distress more effectively, and develop healthier coping strategies. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, anger management, or relationship issues, individual counselling offers personalized support tailored to your unique needs and cultural background. We serve clients throughout British Columbia, Ontario, and Saskatchewan through secure online sessions, with in-person appointments available at our Nanaimo location. Our trauma informed care recognizes that healing happens differently for everyone, and we honour Indigenous traditions and cultural practices as part of the therapeutic process.
Ready to take the first step toward emotional wellness and personal growth? Contact Bee Here Counselling and Therapy today to schedule your individual counselling session and discover how DBT skills can support your mental health goals.
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Benefits of Our Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
Emotional Storms Become Manageable Waves
DBT transforms overwhelming emotional experiences into opportunities for growth and self-compassion. Clients learn to navigate intense feelings without being swept away by them, developing practical skills that work in real-time crisis moments. Through mindfulness techniques and distress tolerance strategies, you'll discover how to pause between feeling and reacting, creating space for wise choices even during your most challenging moments. This foundational emotional regulation becomes the bedrock for healthier relationships, increased self-worth, and a profound sense of personal empowerment that extends into every area of your life.
Build Lasting Emotional Resilience and Stability
DBT at Bee Here Counselling empowers you to develop unshakeable emotional balance that transforms how you navigate life's challenges. You'll master practical skills for managing intense emotions, reducing self-destructive behaviours, and creating healthier boundaries in relationships. These evidence-based techniques become your personal toolkit for crisis situations, helping you respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively. As you strengthen your emotional foundation, you'll experience greater confidence in handling stress, deeper connections with loved ones, and a profound sense of inner stability that supports long-term healing and personal growth.
Transform Your Life's Purpose and Direction
DBT at Bee Here Counselling creates profound shifts that ripple through every aspect of your existence. This transformative approach helps you discover deeper meaning in your relationships, work, and personal journey while building the emotional wisdom to navigate life's complexities with grace. Through mindfulness practices and distress tolerance skills, you'll develop an unshakeable sense of self that allows you to pursue your authentic path with confidence. The integration of mind-body-spirit healing creates lasting change that extends far beyond symptom management, empowering you to live with intention, cultivate meaningful connections, and embrace your full potential as you move forward in life.
Build Stronger, More Authentic Relationships
DBT equips you with practical communication skills that transform how you connect with others. You'll learn to express your needs clearly without damaging relationships, set healthy boundaries with confidence, and navigate conflicts constructively rather than avoiding them or escalating tensions. These interpersonal effectiveness skills help you build deeper connections at work, strengthen family bonds, and create more satisfying friendships. Whether you're asking for a raise, addressing concerns with your partner, or maintaining relationships during stressful times, you'll have concrete tools to communicate authentically while preserving the relationships that matter most to you.
Building Lifelong Skills for Independent Thriving
DBT at Bee Here Counselling empowers you with a comprehensive toolkit of skills that become your permanent companions on life's journey. These aren't temporary fixes—they're transformative abilities in emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness that grow stronger with practice. You'll discover an inner resilience you may never have known existed, developing the confidence to navigate future challenges independently. As you master these evidence-based techniques, you're not just healing from past wounds; you're building a foundation for sustained wellbeing that extends far beyond our sessions together, creating lasting change that ripples through every aspect of your life.
Looking for support with our Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)?
Let’s have a caring conversation.
Like bees that find their way home, we all seek a place of comfort and belonging. At Bee Here Counselling and Therapy, we create that safe space where you can simply ‘Be’ – authentically yourself. Together, we’ll explore your path to healing, pollinating your life with new perspectives and nurturing growth one step at a time. We serve Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) to anyone within the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Saskatchewan or Ontario with multiple types of insurances accepted and covered.
Our Process for Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
Initial Contact and Consultation
- Begin with a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation to discuss your needs and determine if DBT at Bee Here Counselling feels right for you—no pressure, just connection
- Share your story at your own pace during this brief conversation, knowing that Melissa Davies will listen with compassion and without judgment
- Ask any questions about DBT, the therapy process, or practical details like scheduling, insurance coverage, and session formats (in-person in Nanaimo, online, or phone)
- Receive clear information about what DBT involves and how it can help you develop skills for managing intense emotions, improving relationships, and building distress tolerance
- Feel reassured that this initial conversation is confidential and designed to help you feel comfortable before making any commitments to therapy
- Schedule your first full 50-minute intake session if you both agree that DBT at Bee Here Counselling aligns with your healing goals
- Leave this consultation feeling heard, informed, and hopeful about taking the next step in your mental health journey
Step 2: Comprehensive Assessment and Collaborative Treatment Planning
- Complete a thorough intake assessment using evidence-based questionnaires that help us understand your emotional patterns, daily challenges, and current coping strategies—this collaborative process ensures we capture your unique experiences and strengths
- Explore your personal history, cultural background, and previous experiences with mental health support to create a culturally responsive treatment approach that honours your individual journey and values
- Identify specific DBT skills that align with your goals, whether you're seeking better emotional regulation, improved relationships, distress tolerance techniques, or enhanced mindfulness practices
- Develop a personalized treatment plan together that outlines clear, achievable goals and integrates DBT modules with other therapeutic approaches like mindfulness-based therapy or cognitive behavioural techniques as needed
- Establish safety planning protocols and crisis management strategies. We ensure you have practical tools available between sessions
- Create a collaborative therapeutic agreement that respects your pace, preferences, and comfort level while maintaining the structure necessary for DBT's effectiveness
- Schedule regular progress reviews to monitor your growth, celebrate achievements, and adjust our approach as your needs evolve throughout your healing journey
- Connect you with additional resources or support systems within British Columbia's mental health network when beneficial, ensuring comprehensive care that extends beyond our sessions
Active Treatment Phase
- Weekly DBT Skills Sessions: Engage in structured 50-90 minute sessions focusing on mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness skills through guided practice and real-world application exercises.
- Collaborative Progress Review: Begin each session with a brief check-in to assess your current emotional state and review homework assignments. Track your skill development using personalized progress indicators that celebrate small victories and identify areas for continued growth.
- Interactive Skills Building: Practice DBT techniques through role-playing scenarios, mindfulness exercises, and creative expression activities. Learn to navigate challenging situations using your growing toolkit of coping strategies in a safe, supportive environment.
- Between-Session Practice: Complete tailored homework assignments including emotion tracking journals, mindfulness exercises, and distress tolerance techniques. These activities reinforce session learning and help integrate new skills into your daily routine.
- Crisis Prevention Planning: Develop personalized safety plans and coping strategies for managing intense emotions or crisis situations. Learn to recognize early warning signs and implement effective intervention techniques before situations escalate.
- Treatment Plan Adjustments: Regularly review and modify your therapeutic goals based on your progress and changing needs. Your therapist will adapt session content and frequency to ensure optimal support throughout your healing journey.
- Empowerment Through Self-Advocacy: Build confidence in expressing your needs, setting boundaries, and making informed decisions about your treatment. Develop the skills to become an active participant in your own recovery process.
Step 4: Progress & Completion
- Regular progress reviews using standardized questionnaires that measure changes in mood, anxiety levels, and daily functioning to track your emotional growth and skill development throughout your DBT journey
- Collaborative assessment of your mastery of the four core DBT modules—mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness—ensuring you feel confident applying these skills independently
- Development of a personalized maintenance plan that includes ongoing practice schedules, self-monitoring techniques, and strategies for preventing setbacks in challenging situations
- Gradual transition from weekly sessions to bi-weekly or monthly check-ins, allowing you to build confidence while maintaining therapeutic support as needed
- Access to refresher sessions and skill-building workshops when life transitions or unexpected stressors arise, ensuring your progress remains sustainable over time
- Creation of a comprehensive wellness toolkit featuring your most effective coping strategies, emergency contact plans, and personalized crisis intervention techniques for long-term success
- Ongoing availability for follow-up support through phone consultations or brief sessions, providing reassurance that professional guidance remains accessible as you continue your healing journey
- Celebration of your achievements and recognition of the lasting changes you've made, empowering you with the knowledge that you now possess the skills to navigate life's challenges with greater resilience and emotional balance
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