Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) in Mississauga

DBT helps people in Mississauga and Peel Region who feel overwhelmed by intense emotions — emotions that come on fast, hit hard, and are difficult to manage or recover from. At Cornerstone, we use DBT skills and principles to help you build practical tools for getting through difficult moments and building a life that feels more stable.

What Is DBT?

DBT was developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan originally for people with borderline personality disorder. She found that some people experience emotions far more intensely than others — for them, working on thoughts alone was never going to be enough.

“Dialectical” means two opposite things being true at the same time. In DBT that is: you are doing the best you can right now, and you also need to change.

The Four Skill Areas

Mindfulness

The foundation of the other three. Noticing what you think and feel without immediately acting on it or judging yourself.

Distress Tolerance

Skills for getting through a crisis without making it worse.

Emotion Regulation

Understanding your emotions and turning down their intensity. Spotting triggers early before things reach a breaking point.

Interpersonal Effectiveness

Asking for what you need, setting limits, keeping relationships intact without losing self-respect.

Is DBT Right for You?

It maybe a strong fit if:

Lisa smiling and leaning in during a therapy session with a client

How We Use DBT at Cornerstone

Cornerstone offers DBT-informed individual therapy and DBT skills work. This is different from a full structured DBT programme — which includes a separate weekly skills group and phone coaching, typically run through hospital settings. For most people, DBT-informed individual therapy is the most practical starting point. If you need the full structured programme, we can point you toward the right resources in Peel Region.

Every therapist holds a master’s degree and is CRPO-registered. Our Clinical Director holds a PhD and a Doctor of Counselling and Psychotherapy. English, French, and Arabic. In person in Mississauga and online across Ontario.

Ready To Get Started?

Call (905) 214-7363

Email [email protected], or fill out the form below.

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What to expect at your first session →

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You found us at just the right time.

We are celebrating 15 years of making professional mental health care accessible in Peel Region, and we would love for you to be part of it.

Our 15th Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, April 25, 2026 | 3:00 – 5:00 PM
6341 Mississauga Road, Mississauga | Free | All welcome