DBT Therapists in Alberta

DBT-informed therapy means a therapist incorporates skills and strategies from dialectical behaviour therapy into individual counselling or psychotherapy, rather than providing the full DBT program.

You might work on DBT skills such as mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. The exact approach varies by therapist, so ask about their DBT training and how they use these skills in sessions.

No. DBT was originally developed for people with borderline personality disorder (BPD), and it has a particularly strong evidence base for BPD. However, DBT skills are now used with people experiencing a range of difficulties, particularly problems with intense emotions, impulsive behaviours, self-harm, and relationship challenges.

A BPD diagnosis is not required to work with a therapist who uses DBT-informed strategies. Your therapist can help determine whether a DBT-informed approach fits what you're dealing with.

RPC is a professional designation used by members of the Canadian Professional Counsellors Association (CPCA). It is not the same type of government-regulated health-profession designation as Registered Psychologist in Alberta. Alberta announced in 2024 that it will regulate counsellors under the College of Alberta Psychologists, but the practice standards and proclamation were still pending as of late 2025. 

It can, but coverage depends on your extended health plan and the therapist's professional designation. Insurance plans may cover services from Registered Psychologists, social workers, counsellors, or other providers under different benefit categories, and DBT-informed therapy is generally billed according to the therapist's professional designation rather than as a separate "DBT" benefit.

Before booking, check your plan's eligible providers, annual maximum, reimbursement percentage, and any per-session limits. You can also ask your insurer whether the specific designation listed on the therapist's First Session profile is covered.

First Session therapists provide receipts that you can submit to your insurer for reimbursement.

Yes. DBT-informed individual therapy can be provided online. Much of the work involves learning and practising skills, talking through difficult situations, and applying them between sessions, which you can do over video.

Online therapy may also make it easier to work with a therapist who is a good fit even if they are not located in your city. If you're seeing a therapist outside Alberta, make sure they are authorized to provide virtual services to clients in Alberta and confirm the time zone when booking. 

The cost of DBT-informed therapy in Alberta varies based on the therapist's experience and scope of practice. Registered psychologists typically charge $200 to $235 for a 50-minute session. Counsellors, social workers, and provisional psychologists generally charge $120 to $180. If cost is a concern, some therapists offer sliding-scale rates, and insurance can significantly reduce the amount you'd have to pay out of pocket.