Frequently Asked Questions

These are some of our most frequently asked questions. If your answer isn’t here, please contact us and we will get back to you.

GENERAL

INDIVIDUAL THERAPY

YOUTH & FAMILY

Midtown DBT & DBT SKILLS GROUP

GROUP SKILLS WORKSHOP

GENERAL FAQ

At Midtown Therapy Group, we support individuals, families, and couples experiencing emotional and behavioural challenges that impact daily life. Some of our clients are reaching out for the first time, and many others have lots of experience in the mental health system and are looking for either a specific program (like DBT) or an approach that is more personalized to their needs and experiences. We focus on helping you understand your relational patterns, deepen insight, and make meaningful, lasting changes in your life.

Our model balances structure with personalized support. We begin with a free consultation where you can ask questions, learn about our process, and determine if we are the right fit for you.

We aim to make the process clear, quick and approachable from the beginning.

  • A free consultation to explore your needs
  • An orientation to our approach and what to expect
  • A collaborative treatment plan tailored to you
  • Flexible and transparent cancellation policies

We aim to provide timely access to care:

  • Individual Therapy: No waitlist, you can get started right away
  • Family & Couples Therapy: No waitlist, you can get started right away
  • Skills Groups: You can start in 6 weeks or less. 

The length of therapy varies depending on your goals, needs, and the type of support you are receiving. Many clients begin with weekly sessions and gradually transition to biweekly or periodic check-ins as progress is made. While we don’t set a fixed timeline, we regularly check in to evaluate progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed.

Both in-person and virtual therapy are effective options. Research shows that consistent virtual therapy can produce outcomes comparable to in-person treatment for concerns such as anxiety, depression, and trauma.

For structured, skills-based approaches like Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), virtual therapy can be especially effective. Sessions are focused, interactive, and designed to support real-life skill practice.

For youth 16 and under, we recommend starting in person when possible, for both individual therapy and group skills. This can help with engagement, connection, and building comfort in the therapeutic relationship.

We offer engaging and effective virtual individual therapy as well as virtual Skills Group Workshops.

Yes. Many of our clients work with other professionals, including psychologists, physicians, psychiatrists, dietitians, and school teams. With your consent, we collaborate to ensure consistency, clear communication, and alignment of strategies across all supports. This helps create a more cohesive and effective treatment experience.

Fees vary depending on the service provided, including individual therapy, DBT skills groups, or a combination of both, as well as session frequency. We review all fees and payment options during your free consultation so you have a clear understanding before getting started.

Group Fees
DBT Skills Groups and Group Therapy: $40 per session
Adolescent DBT Skills Groups: $60 per session
Biweekly Parent Group: $60 per session

Individual Therapy

Fees vary by the experience of the clinician. Lower-cost options are available with a Master’s-level graduate student. When on fixed incomes, you may also be eligible for sliding scale fees.

We are committed to accessibility and offer inclusive pricing options when possible for most insurance companies.

Insurance & Payment

Our services are often fully or partially covered by extended health insurance plans and may be tax-deductible as medical expenses.

We accept credit card and e-transfer, and offer direct billing.

Our services are often fully or partially covered by extended health insurance plans and may be tax-deductible as medical expenses.

We require 24 hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule an individual therapy appointment without charge. Individual sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice are subject to the full session fee. Emergencies are handled with discretion.

Groups are billed per module (typically 6 sessions). Clients may withdraw after the first session of their initial module or at the end of any module.

We tailor treatment to each individual. During your free consultation, we take time to understand your goals and recommend the structure that will best support you.

Choose Individual Therapy if:

  • You are working through trauma or sensitive experiences
  • You prefer a pace that is tailored to your needs
  • You are navigating acute stress, crisis, or high emotional intensity
  • You benefit from focused, one-on-one support and guidance
  • You want a private space to explore your personal experiences and current challenges

Choose Group Skills if:

  • You already have an individual therapist that you are going to continue to work with
  • If your physician recommended skills only
  • You want to build practical tools for managing emotions and relationships
  • You are interested in learning DBT skills like mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness
  • You want structured, skills-based support with clear takeaways each week
  • You would benefit from connecting with others and reducing feelings of isolation
  • Financial limitations

Individual THERAPY FAQ

Treatment begins with a free consultation to clarify your goals and determine the best fit. Your first individual session focuses on understanding your background, daily life, and past therapy experiences, including what has and hasn’t been helpful. We identify current challenges, barriers, and begin building a practical roadmap toward your goals.

We aim to make the first session feel simple, structured, and supportive. Most importantly, we want you to feel heard, understood, and comfortable. It’s also an opportunity for you to decide if the therapist feels like the right fit moving forward.

For clients participating in DBT, the first 4–6 sessions are called Pre-Treatment, which includes

  • Assessment (1–2 sessions)
  • Collaborative case conceptualization (a shared understanding of the problem)
  • Treatment planning (1–2 sessions)

Our therapists are experienced, licensed mental health professionals with training across a range of evidence-based approaches. We thoughtfully match clients with a therapist based on their needs, goals, preferences, and the clinician’s areas of expertise.

YOUTH & FAMILY faq

We currently offer Individual Therapy and DBT Skills Groups for youth ages 12 and older.

If your child is under 12, please book a consultation to discuss your situation. If we are not the right fit, we are happy to refer you to trusted clinicians. Work with younger children is typically done in collaboration with parents or caregivers and is not usually offered in a group format.

With appropriate consent, we provide updates and work with parents to support skill use at home. At the same time, we prioritize a youth’s privacy to help build trust and a strong therapeutic relationship. To abide by our ethical and legal obligations and to strengthen the therapeutic relationship, session content remains confidential. We believe that collaboration with parents is an important part of effective treatment, especially for youth. Ongoing communication is best agreed upon between youth and parents during the treatment planning process.

If you have specific questions about communication or involvement, feel free to reach out at info@midtowntherapygroup.com.

We offer both Family Therapy and a Parent DBT Skills Group.

Most adolescents participating in DBT Skills Groups have one or both caregivers involved in a biweekly Parent DBT Skills Group, which has been shown to significantly improve outcomes.

Parent sessions focus on:

  • Managing your child’s emotional and behavioural challenges with the use of DBT Skills
  • Strengthening parenting strategies
  • Improving communication within the family

Family Therapy focuses on improving relationships and communication within the family system, including between parents and children, as well as siblings.

It helps families better understand patterns of interaction, navigate conflict, and build more supportive and effective ways of relating to one another.

Groups do not “feel like school.” The focus is on learning real-life skills in a supportive, engaging environment, with peers who are experiencing similar emotional and relationship challenges.

DBT Skills Groups are structured, interactive, and practical. While participation and weekly home practice are encouraged, we strive to meet every client where they are at.

Our facilitators are experienced clinicians and educators able to present material in an interactive format capable of engaging adolescents. Many of the youth we work with are neurodivergent, and we present material in ways that are clear, engaging, and easy to apply.

Yes. With your consent, we are happy to collaborate with teachers, resource staff, and school social workers. We share relevant skills and practical strategies to help create consistency across home, school, and therapy, which is often key to meaningful progress.

This is very common, and it does not mean therapy won’t be successful. Many teens feel hesitant at first. They may be unsure what to expect, worried about being judged, or not yet convinced that therapy will help with their concerns. We are experienced in working with apprehensive youth and focus on building comfort and trust at a pace that feels manageable.

At the same time, a willingness to attend and engage, even minimally, is important for therapy to be effective. We often encourage parents to focus on getting their teen through the door, rather than expecting full buy-in right away.

In some cases, we may recommend starting with parent support sessions to help you learn strategies to reduce resistance and support your teen more effectively. We’ll work with you to find the best approach for your family.

DBT & DBT SKILLS GROUP FAQ

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) means the “existence of opposites.” DBT balances acceptance and change, helping you feel understood while also supporting meaningful growth. DBT is one of the most well-researched treatments for emotional dysregulation, with decades of research showing significant reductions in self-harm, suicidal behaviours, and emotional distress. We offer individual DBT therapy, DBT Skills Groups, and comprehensive DBT support.

DBT Skills Groups are geared toward developing practical skills to better manage emotions, cope with stress, and improve relationships. You do not need a specific diagnosis to participate, just a willingness to learn and practice new skills.

The four core DBT modules make up the DBT Foundations Skills Group, Midtown Therapy Group’s signature and most in-demand skills group, running continuously since 2020.

DBT Skills Groups include four core modules:

  • Mindfulness
  • Distress Tolerance
  • Emotion Regulation
  • Interpersonal Effectiveness

Each module runs for approximately 6 weeks, with weekly sessions of 75 minutes.

You can begin with any module. Our program is designed so that each module stands on its own and does not require prior knowledge. Over time, completing all four modules helps build a more comprehensive and well-rounded skill set to manage intense emotions and urges, feelings of distress, and relational challenges.

DBT Skills Groups are structured and skills-based, more like workshops. Group therapy is usually thought to be more open-ended and process-focused (like grief processing or Alcoholics Anonymous). Our skills groups emphasize improving the moment or one’s reactions in a given situation.

In DBT Skills Group Workshops:

  • The focus is on learning and applying specific, evidence-based skills
  • Participants are not expected to share personal or sensitive details
  • Discussion is centred on how skills are used in real-life situations

In “traditional” group therapy:

  • Sessions are less structured
  • There is more emphasis on sharing personal experiences
  • The focus is on emotional processing and group support.

You do not need to be in individual therapy to join a DBT Skills Group. The comprehensive DBT model includes both individual therapy and skills training, and this combination is considered the most effective approach for individuals with more complex needs or higher levels of emotional distress.

During your consultation, we’ll help you determine whether group skills alone or a combined approach would best support your goals.

Groups typically include up to 10 participants. We offer a range of specialized groups, including those for adolescents, young adults, adults, parents, neurodivergent individuals, and LGBTQ+ clients, so you can find a group that feels like the right fit.

DBT Skills Groups are most effective when participants attend regularly and actively engage in the process. There is no pressure to share personal details. You are encouraged to participate at a level that feels comfortable.

We encourage participants to:

  • Attend and participate in sessions
  • Complete home practice between sessions to the best of your ability

We understand that occasional scheduling conflicts can happen.

If you miss a session, you can continue with the group and pick up the skills the following week. Skills overview handouts will be provided with each session. We recommend reviewing the materials from the missed session and continuing with home practice to stay on track. When available, we will pair you with a graduate student completing their DBT internship at no extra cost.

The orientation is the first step in the process of starting a DBT Skills Group. Click here to sign up for an orientation date.

GROUP SKILLS WORKSHOP FAQ

We offer in-person and virtual groups for the following:

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Insomnia
  • DBT Foundations
  • Specialized DBT Skills Groups (Neurodiversity-affirming)
  • LGBTQ+
  • Young Adult
  • Adolescent
  • Parent
  • Anxiety Skills Group
  • Depression Skills Group
  • Trauma & PTSD Group
  • Insomnia & Sleep Skills Group
  • Substance Use & Addiction Skills Group
  • Depression
  • Substance Use/ Addictions
  • OCD
  • PTSD
  • Executive Functioning Support

We understand that occasional scheduling conflicts can happen.

If you miss a session, you can continue with the group and pick up the skills the following week. Skills overview handouts will be provided with each session. We recommend reviewing the materials from the missed session and continuing with home practice to stay on track. When available, we will pair you with a graduate student completing their internship at no extra cost.

Groups typically include up to 10 participants.

Group Therapy is most effective when participants attend regularly and actively engage in the process. There is no pressure to share personal details. You are encouraged to participate at a level that feels comfortable while still working toward meaningful change.

We encourage participants to:

  • Attend and participate in sessions consistently
  • Complete home practice between sessions

You do not need to be in individual therapy to join a Skills Group Workshop.

GENERAL

INDIVIDUAL THERAPY

YOUTH & FAMILY

Midtown DBT & DBT SKILLS GROUP

GROUP SKILLS WORKSHOP