DBT Therapy Calgary
If you feel like your emotions are running your life, DBT was built for exactly that. Dialectical behavior therapy is one of the most research-supported treatments in clinical psychology, and at Snyder Psychology we deliver it with the full clinical structure it requires.
How can our team help?
Nurturing minds, healing hearts.
We’re here to support your journey with compassionate, evidence-based care. Together, we’ll cultivate understanding, growth, and positive change. Reach out when you’re ready.
+1 403-397-6671
What DBT Therapy Is
Dialectical behavior therapy is a cognitive-behavioural treatment built around four concrete skill sets. It was developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan and grounded in a straightforward premise: you can accept where you are right now and still work toward real change at the same time.
The four skill modules are mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
- Mindfulness builds the pause between a trigger and your response.
- Distress tolerance gives you tools for surviving overwhelming moments without making things worse.
- Emotion regulation teaches you to understand and shift the trajectory of difficult emotions.
- Interpersonal effectiveness focuses on asking for what you need and holding your own in relationships.
Each module is learnable. Each one builds on the last.
Who DBT Is a Good Fit For
DBT was originally developed for borderline personality disorder and chronic suicidality. Research shows it reduces self-harm behaviours, decreases psychiatric hospitalizations, and improves quality of life (Linehan et al., 1991; 2006). Its application has expanded well beyond that since.
Adults coming to us for DBT in Calgary are often dealing with emotional dysregulation that makes it hard to function consistently at work or in relationships. Chronic self-destructive patterns with no clear exit. Complex trauma where previous therapy did not gain much traction. Many clients from Varsity, Brentwood, and Charleswood are high-functioning professionals carrying significant unresolved stress. DBT gives that profile a structured, skills-based path forward.
Eating disorders, substance use, anxiety, and depression frequently co-occur with emotion dysregulation. We assess what is driving what before committing to a treatment direction. DBT is not the right fit for everyone and we will tell you honestly if something else makes more clinical sense.
How DBT Works at Snyder Psychology
McKenzie Snyder teaches clinical psychology at City University and has lectured at the University of Calgary. He knows the architecture of DBT because he trains others in it, and that understanding runs through how every session is structured.
Sessions follow the DBT priority hierarchy. Safety first, then behaviours interfering with treatment, then quality of life goals. Diary cards track mood, urges, and skill use between sessions so progress is visible and measurable. Chain analysis breaks down what drives problem behaviours so patterns can actually change. You always know what we are working on and why.
The goal is generalization. Skills that hold up in a Kensington coffee shop on a hard morning, not only inside a therapy office in northwest Calgary.
Getting Started Is Simple
Step 1: Book a Free Consultation:
Reach out online or call our northwest Calgary office. We set aside time to understand what you are dealing with and answer any questions you have about DBT before anything else is decided.
Step 2: Complete Your Clinical Intake:
We do a thorough assessment of your history, current presentation, and goals. This is where we confirm whether DBT is the right fit and map out what a realistic course of treatment looks like for your specific situation.
Step 3: Start Building Skills:
Sessions begin with a clear structure and direction from day one. Diary cards, session targets, and skill practice give you a framework that builds on itself over time. Most clients work through individual DBT over 6 to 12 months, though duration is always assessed based on your needs.
DBT Therapy Across Calgary and Alberta
Our practice is located at 1700 Varsity Estates Drive NW in northwest Calgary. We see clients from Varsity, Brentwood, Dalhousie, Charleswood, Edgemont, Silver Springs, and Tuscany in person. Clients from Kensington, Hillhurst, the Beltline, and other parts of the city come in or connect virtually.
A significant portion of our Calgary clients are professionals in energy, healthcare, finance, and education. People who function at a high level externally while managing real emotional weight privately. DBT fits that profile well because the skills integrate into demanding daily routines without requiring everything to stop.
Virtual DBT is available to adults across Alberta.
Edmonton, Lethbridge, Red Deer, or anywhere in the province without local access to a trained DBT clinician.
About Snyder Psychology
Snyder Psychology provides evidence-based dbt treament for Calgary professionals who need specialized psychological care.
Our psychologists hold registrations with the College of Alberta Psychologists and maintain in DBT therapy for Calgarians. We’re members of professional organizations including the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta.
The practice focuses on helping clients process difficult experiences using methods backed by clinical research and endorsed by major health organizations.
Start DBT Therapy in Calgary
Contact our northwest Calgary office at 1700 Varsity Estates Drive NW or reach out online. In-person and virtual appointments are available across Alberta.
Frequently Asked Questions About DBT Therapy in Calgary
What is DBT therapy used for?
DBT is commonly used to treat emotional dysregulation, borderline personality disorder, self-harm, eating disorders, substance use, chronic depression, and complex trauma. It is most effective where emotional intensity, impulsivity, and relationship instability are central to the presentation.
How is DBT different from CBT?
Both are cognitive-behavioural in foundation. DBT adds a dialectical philosophy, a four-module skills curriculum, and a validation-forward stance that standard CBT does not include. The therapeutic relationship also plays a more active role in DBT as a mechanism of change.
Can I access DBT therapy virtually in Alberta?
Yes. We offer virtual DBT to adults across Alberta with the same clinical structure as in-person sessions.
How long does DBT take?
A standard course typically runs 6 to 12 months. Some clients complete shorter, skills-focused work. Duration is assessed individually based on your presentation and goals.
Do I need a referral to start DBT therapy in Calgary?
No referral required. Contact Snyder Psychology directly to book an intake.