Practical, evidence-based DBT skills to help children and teens manage big emotions, handle stress, and build healthier relationships—available in Toronto and Mississauga.
Big emotions. Big transitions. Big social pressure. When kids and teens don’t have the skills to cope, it often shows up as meltdowns, shutdowns, conflict, anxiety, or feeling “out of control.” DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy) is one of the most recognized, skills-based approaches parents are already familiar with—because it teaches real-world tools kids can use at home, at school, and with peers.
In Ontario, about 1 in 5 children and youth experience a mental health challenge, and 5 out of 6 won’t receive the treatment they need. ontario.cmha.ca+1 That’s why early, skills-based support matters— especially for families in the GTA looking for structured help in Toronto and Mississauga.
DBT is built around learning and practicing skills that help with:
Emotion regulation (less overwhelm, fewer blow-ups)
Distress tolerance (getting through hard moments without making things worse)
Mindfulness (getting unstuck from spirals and refocusing)
Interpersonal effectiveness (friendship skills, boundaries, repair)
DBT is also strongly supported by research in youth mental health. In a large randomized clinical trial, DBT helped reduce self-harm and suicide attempts in high-risk adolescents compared with supportive therapy. PMC A meta-analysis similarly found DBT for adolescents is associated with reductions in selfharm and suicidal ideation. PubMed For younger children, DBT has been adapted (DBT-C) and studied for severe irritability/outbursts, with promising trial outcomes. PubMed+1
Our CALM™ groups are skills-focused and preventive/supportive; they are not crisis services.
CALM™ = Connect • Adapt • Label • Manage
CALM™ is Positive Kids’ structured, DBT-informed group model that teaches children and teens how to:
What families often notice with DBT skills
Looking for a DBT skills group for kids or teens in Toronto or Mississauga? CALM™ is designed to give young people practical tools they can use for life.
Register for our next CALM™ DBT group in your area.
