Your emotions feel like a category 5 hurricane—they arrive without warning, obliterate everything in their path, then leave you surveying the wreckage of another relationship, job, or promise to yourself. You’ve been called “too sensitive,” “too much,” or “dramatic” so often you’ve started to believe it. The intensity of what you feel doesn’t match what others seem to experience, and you’re exhausted from trying to figure out how to just… be normal.
At Ontario Therapy, we specialize in DBT Therapy—Dialectical Behaviour Therapy—designed specifically for people whose emotional experiences feel overwhelming and unmanageable. Serving Whitchurch-Stouffville and York Region communities from our Newmarket clinic, we offer both in-person and virtual sessions. This isn’t about suppressing your emotions. It’s about learning to surf them instead of drowning in them.
Naomi Barnes, MA, RP (Registered Psychotherapist)
Founder & Clinical Director, Ontario Therapy
With over 11 years specializing in anxiety disorders and trauma-informed care, Naomi brings advanced training in evidence-based approaches that address anxiety at its roots—not just its symptoms.
Her background includes a Master’s in Counselling Psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University and specialized certifications in Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Trauma-Focused & Somatic Therapy, and Psychoanalytic & Psychodynamic Therapy. This combination allows her to work with anxiety through multiple lenses—addressing both the immediate distress and underlying patterns that keep anxiety alive.
Naomi is registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO #004481) and provides clinical supervision to qualifying psychotherapists across the province.
When you choose Ontario Therapy, you’re not getting surface-level anxiety management. You’re getting someone trained in the specific modalities that create lasting change.
He’s 35, lives near Stouffville GO Station, and from the outside appears successful—good job, nice house, active in the community. But alone in his Musselman’s Lake home, the shame becomes unbearable. When overwhelmed by anger, disappointment, or that familiar hollow feeling, he turns to cutting as the only thing that provides immediate relief. He knows it’s “unhealthy,” but nothing else seems to work as quickly or effectively. The cycle of self-harm followed by guilt and promises to stop has been going on for years. He’s terrified someone will find out, but equally terrified of facing his emotions without this coping mechanism.
At 29, Jennifer loves her marketing job in Aurora, but Sunday evenings are torture. By 4 PM, the knot in her stomach starts forming. She rehearses Monday’s conversations, imagines every possible disaster, and by bedtime, she’s convinced she’ll be fired for something she hasn’t even done yet. She scrolls her phone until 2 AM to avoid the racing thoughts, then drags herself through Monday exhausted and irritable. Her partner suggests she “just relax on weekends,” not understanding that relaxation feels impossible when your brain treats every upcoming interaction like a threat. The drive down Yonge Street to work has become a daily exercise in dread.
These aren’t character flaws or signs of weakness. These are the natural responses of sensitive nervous systems that never learned effective regulation skills.
We provide specialized DBT treatment for teens and adults throughout the Whitchurch-Stouffville area—including Ballantrae, Bethesda, Gormley, Vandorf, Cedar Valley, Musselman’s Lake, and surrounding York Region communities—dealing with:
Fear of abandonment, unstable relationships, identity disturbance, and chronic feelings of emptiness
Intense emotions that feel uncontrollable, mood swings that disrupt daily functioning, and difficulty returning to baseline
Cutting, burning, or other self-injurious behaviours used to cope with emotional pain
Particularly when traditional therapy hasn't provided lasting relief
Emotional flashbacks, hypervigilance, and trauma responses that feel overwhelming
Pattern of intense, unstable relationships, fear of abandonment, difficulty with boundaries
Using drugs, alcohol, or other substances to manage intense emotions
Whether you’re near the Oak Ridges Moraine or commuting from Richmond Hill, Aurora, or Newmarket, our DBT approach provides the specific skills needed for emotional regulation and distress tolerance.
Begin with a comprehensive 90-minute assessment to understand your emotional patterns, current coping strategies, and readiness for DBT skills training. We’ll determine whether individual DBT, group skills training, or a combination is right for you.
Process Overview:
If you’re experiencing thoughts of self-harm, suicide, or need immediate support:
Emotional dysregulation doesn’t improve with time alone—it typically worsens as unhealthy coping patterns become more entrenched. Relationships deteriorate under the strain of unpredictable emotional responses. Career opportunities get derailed by impulsive decisions made during emotional crises. Self-harm behaviours escalate in frequency and severity.
The longer these patterns continue, the more they become your identity instead of just your current coping strategy. You deserve to experience the full range of human emotions without being controlled by them.
Traditional talk therapy often falls short for people with intense emotional experiences because it focuses on insight and understanding rather than skill-building. You can understand exactly why you feel triggered and still have no idea how to manage the actual trigger when it happens. DBT is different—it’s a skills-based therapy that gives you concrete tools to use in real-time emotional crises.
How Our DBT Approach Works:
We start with distress tolerance skills. Before learning to change emotions, you need ways to survive emotional crises without making them worse through impulsive behaviours. These are your “emergency” skills—techniques like radical acceptance, distraction, and self-soothing that help you get through intense moments without acting destructively. You’ll practice these skills between sessions so they’re available when you need them most.
We teach emotion regulation as a learnable skill. Most people with emotional intensity were never taught that emotions have a beginning, middle, and end—or that there are specific techniques for changing emotional states. You’ll learn to identify emotions accurately, understand what triggers them, and develop a toolkit for both preventing and managing emotional spirals. This isn’t about becoming emotionless—it’s about having choices in how you respond.
We focus heavily on interpersonal effectiveness. Many clients struggle with relationships because their emotional intensity either pushes people away or makes them accept treatment they don’t deserve. DBT teaches specific skills for asking for what you need, saying no to requests, and maintaining relationships even during emotional storms. You’ll learn how to express your needs without damaging your connections.
We integrate mindfulness throughout. Not the kind where you sit cross-legged for an hour, but practical mindfulness—paying attention to the present moment without judgment, observing your emotions without being consumed by them, and making conscious choices rather than reacting automatically. These skills become the foundation for all other DBT techniques.
Comprehensive evaluation of emotional patterns, current coping strategies, and treatment goals. We’ll assess readiness for DBT and begin building therapeutic relationship. Introduction to the four core modules and commitment to the process.
Learning the fundamental DBT skills across four modules: Distress Tolerance (surviving crises without making them worse), Emotion Regulation (understanding and managing emotions), Interpersonal Effectiveness (maintaining relationships while getting needs met), and Mindfulness (staying present and aware). Each module includes homework and real-world practice.
Applying DBT skills to your specific life situations and relationships. Processing challenges in using skills, problem-solving obstacles, and refining techniques. Individual sessions focus on your unique triggers and patterns while reinforcing group learning.
As skills become more automatic, sessions focus on preventing relapse, handling new challenges, and maintaining progress. Many clients transition to monthly maintenance sessions while continuing to use DBT skills independently.
Our Newmarket clinic provides a safe, non-judgmental environment specifically designed for clients experiencing emotional intensity—comfortable seating, calming colours, complete confidentiality, and easy parking.
Getting Here from Whitchurch-Stouffville and York Region:
From Stouffville (downtown, GO Station area): 20 minutes west via Stouffville Road
From Ballantrae: 15 minutes south via Highway 48
From Gormley/Bethesda: 10 minutes west via Davis Drive
From Musselman’s Lake/Cedar Valley: 25 minutes southwest via Highway 48
From Richmond Hill: 15 minutes north via Yonge Street
From Aurora: 10 minutes south via Yonge Street
From Markham: 20 minutes north via Highway 48 or Yonge Street
If you’re taking the GO Train from Stouffville Station or commuting along Highway 404, you’re a quick drive from specialized DBT therapy that actually works.
After intense sessions focused on emotional skills, historic downtown Newmarket offers peaceful spots like Fairy Lake Park for grounding before your drive home through York Region’s scenic countryside.
For many Whitchurch-Stouffville clients, online sessions offer unique advantages for DBT work. You can practice new skills in your actual environment—using your own comfort items for distress tolerance, practicing interpersonal skills before real conversations, and accessing support without the stress of driving when emotionally activated.
Virtual sessions also eliminate barriers on difficult days when leaving home feels impossible, and allow for more flexible crisis coaching when emotional storms hit outside regular business hours.
Our secure platform accommodates video, phone, or chat sessions depending on your comfort level and current emotional state.
DBT is primarily skills-based rather than insight-focused. Instead of just talking about problems, you learn specific techniques for managing emotions, tolerating distress, and improving relationships. It’s like learning to drive—you need practice and coaching, not just understanding how cars work.
Not at all. DBT helps anyone struggling with emotional regulation, regardless of diagnosis. Many clients find DBT skills helpful for anxiety, depression, trauma responses, or simply learning to manage stress more effectively.
No—DBT teaches you to work with your emotional sensitivity rather than against it. Many highly sensitive people are also highly creative, empathetic, and intuitive. The goal is learning to manage intensity, not eliminate it.
DBT meets you where you are. We start by reducing the frequency and severity of harmful behaviours while building alternative coping skills. Complete elimination often happens gradually as healthier options become more automatic and effective.
Anger management typically focuses on one emotion, while DBT addresses the full range of emotional experiences. It’s also more comprehensive—teaching distress tolerance, mindfulness, and relationship skills alongside emotion regulation techniques.
Many traditional therapies focus on insight and processing rather than skill-building. DBT is highly practical—every session includes concrete techniques you can use immediately. Most clients notice some improvement within the first few weeks of learning skills.
We offer sliding scale fees and payment plans because emotional regulation skills shouldn’t be limited by financial resources. We can also discuss which intensity of treatment (weekly individual, group skills, or combination) fits your budget while still being effective.
Traditional DBT is designed as a one-year program, but many people notice significant improvement within 3-6 months. The timeline depends on your starting point, consistency with skills practice, and life circumstances. Some clients need longer support; others transition to maintenance sessions.
When you’re emotionally activated and about to act impulsively, use this acronym to interrupt the pattern:
S – Stop what you’re doing. Don’t send the text, make the call, or take the action. Just pause, even if every instinct is screaming at you to react.
T – Take a breath. One deep breath signals your nervous system to slow down. If you can manage it, take three breaths, making the exhale longer than the inhale.
O – Observe what’s happening right now. What emotion are you feeling? What’s happening in your body? What thoughts are racing through your mind? Just notice without judging.
P – Proceed with intention. Now that you’ve created space between trigger and reaction, what choice serves your long-term goals rather than just providing immediate relief?
This takes 30 seconds and can prevent hours of regret. Practice it during small frustrations so it’s available during emotional emergencies.
DBT is a highly specialized therapy that requires extensive training—most therapists in York Region don’t offer authentic DBT skills training. Naomi holds advanced certification in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and has worked extensively with clients experiencing emotional dysregulation, borderline personality disorder, and complex trauma responses. This isn’t a therapist who “incorporates some DBT techniques”—this is comprehensive, skills-based treatment.
Many clients come to us after years of traditional therapy that provided insight but no practical tools for managing emotional crises. Our approach is different—every session builds concrete skills you can use immediately. You’ll leave with techniques that work in real-world situations, not just abstract understanding.
For Whitchurch-Stouffville residents, our Newmarket location offers easy access to specialized care without the stress of downtown Toronto traffic. Virtual sessions mean you can access expert DBT therapy from anywhere in York Region, with the flexibility to schedule around your emotional needs rather than just business hours.
We understand that people seeking DBT often have complex histories with mental health treatment. Our approach is collaborative, non-pathologizing, and focused on building on your existing strengths rather than cataloguing what’s “wrong” with you.
Reach out to us for a dedicated and knowledgeable psychotherapy solution.
Comprehensive assessment (90 min): $225
Individual DBT sessions (60 min): $180-200
Crisis coaching (30 min): $100
Skills consultation (45 min): $150
Adolescent DBT — Developmentally adapted skills training for teens 14-18 with family involvement
DBT + Trauma Processing — Combined approach for clients with both emotional dysregulation and trauma history
Couples DBT Skills — Teaching regulation and communication skills for both partners
Whitchurch-Stouffville Communities: Stouffville, Ballantrae, Bethesda, Gormley, Vandorf, Cedar Valley, Musselman’s Lake, Lemonville, Ringwood
York Region: Aurora, Newmarket (clinic location), Richmond Hill, Markham, Vaughan, King City, East Gwillimbury, Georgina
Durham Region: Uxbridge, Port Perry, Scugog Township
Virtual: Available throughout Ontario for clients preferring online DBT therapy
GO Transit Access: Convenient to Stouffville GO line and connecting bus routes throughout York Region
Regional Resources:
Southlake Regional Health Centre (Newmarket) — Psychiatric emergency services
York Region Mental Health Services — Crisis intervention
Canadian Mental Health Association York Region — Community support
Imagine feeling an intense emotion and knowing it won’t destroy your day. Imagine having a fight with someone important and being able to repair the relationship instead of watching it crumble. Imagine making decisions based on your values instead of whatever emotion happens to be strongest in that moment.
That’s not a fantasy reserved for “emotionally stable” people. That’s what DBT skills make possible for people who feel everything intensely.
The clients who choose DBT therapy often arrive feeling like they’re “too much” for everyone in their lives. They’ve been told they’re dramatic, oversensitive, or need to just “calm down.” With proper skills training, they discover that their emotional intensity—when channeled effectively—becomes a superpower. They form deeper connections, pursue creative goals with passion, and experience joy more fully than people who live in emotional numbness.
Your sensitivity isn’t the problem. The lack of skills for managing that sensitivity is the problem—and that’s completely solvable.
You don’t need to become a different person. You need to become a skilled version of who you already are.
Step forward, boldly, towards a future shaped
by balanced sentiment—not unpredictability.
Ontario Therapy – Newmarket Clinic
171 Main Street South
Newmarket, ON L3Y 4Z1
Specialized DBT therapy and emotional regulation counselling serving Whitchurch-Stouffville, York Region, and communities throughout Southern Ontario.
Monday-Thursday: 8 AM – 8 PM
Friday: 8 AM – 6 PM
Sunday: By appointment
Crisis coaching available for enrolled DBT clients.
