Your emotions might often feel like an unbridled storm—calm one moment, overwhelming the next. People around you may call you “too sensitive,” “dramatic,” or “unstable,” without realizing that your emotional intensity isn’t a choice—it’s the way your brain is wired.
This journey isn’t about eliminating your sensitivity or “fixing” you. It’s about gaining skills to experience your full emotional landscape without being overwhelmed by it.
At Ontario Therapy, conveniently situated in downtown Bradford, we specialize in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)—a transformative approach designed for those who experience emotions with greater intensity. DBT doesn’t seek to numb your emotions; instead, it empowers you to feel deeply while maintaining control over your actions.
At 35, Samantha seeks stability in her relationships but finds herself pushing others away, only to panic when they actually leave. She oscillates between idolizing new friends and dismissing them for slight disappointments. Accusations of "trust issues" haunt her, but underneath lies a nervous system interpreting typical relational fluctuations as catastrophic.
Ryan, a 28-year-old engineer in Barrie, seems successful yet battles storms within. Constructive feedback at work triggers explosive anger or an emotional shutdown, leading to job switches over two years. Personal relationships unravel as partners grow weary of his mood-induced volatility, leaving Ryan questioning his self-worth and stable identity.
At 19, living in Innisfil, Anna feels her emotions crash like waves. The silence from a friend feels like betrayal. Her boyfriend’s early nights ignite fears of abandonment. In her attempt to manage the emotional surge, she resorts to self-harm, leaving her family in despair and her self-esteem shattered. She scrolls through "emotional regulation support" late at night, yearning for balance and peace.
As a mother of a 16-year-old in Bradford, Lisa faces the challenge of her daughter's battle with self-harm, disordered eating, and overwhelming emotions. Despite trying traditional therapies and interventions, her daughter still struggles with emotional regulation. The household feels precarious, and Lisa wonders if they're providing help or perpetuating the cycle.
At 22, Alex feels their identity wavers with their emotional tides. When joyful, they are confident and loved; when depressed, they feel unworthy. Different peer groups, appearances, values, and goals offer temporary comfort but lack permanence. Alex wonders if a "real self" exists beneath the emotional chaos.
Does any of this sound familiar? Your emotional intensity is not a flaw—it’s a trait that can be molded into incredible strength.
Start with a comprehensive 90-minute assessment where we evaluate whether DBT is right for you and create a personalized treatment plan.
If you’re having thoughts of self-harm or suicide:
For most people, emotions are like gentle waves; they rise, peak, and taper off naturally. But for some, emotions resemble tsunamis, overwhelming in their force and unpredictability.
What Emotional Dysregulation Looks Like:
Emotional Intensity: You experience emotions at a heightened level. Joy turns euphoric, sadness becomes consuming, anger feels volcanic, and fear seems apocalyptic.
Emotional Reactivity: Minor events evoke major reactions. A simple critique seems like an attack, a missed event feels like desertion, and minor disappointments feel life-ending.
Slow Recovery: While others may recover swiftly, your emotions linger, casting shadows for hours or days. A minor conflict affects your whole week. A professional rejection haunts your self-perception for months.
Impulse-Driven Actions: In intense emotional states, you might engage in self-harm, substance misuse, reckless behavior, or impulsive decisions you later regret.
Emotional Vulnerability: Stress, fatigue, hunger, or hormonal shifts make you more susceptible. Yesterday’s challenges may be unbearable today.
Identity Fluctuations: Your understanding of yourself fluctuates with your emotions. Your sense of identity feels transient, dictated by current feelings.
Most therapeutic approaches presuppose baseline emotional regulation skills, focusing on insight and past experiences. But these approaches can falter for emotionally intense individuals because they don’t address the core challenge: managing overwhelming emotions in real-time.
Where Traditional Therapy Stumbles:
Discussion vs. Action: Traditional approaches emphasize talking about emotions, but when your emotions are at a 9, talking can intensify rather than alleviate the situation.
Insight Does Not Equal Mastery: Knowing why you feel as you do doesn’t automatically equip you with the skills to manage those emotions.
Generic Coping Techniques: General advice like “just breathe” isn’t effective when your system feels overwhelmed. Specific tools for high-intensity emotions are essential.
Pathologizing Sensitivity: Conventional methods may perceive emotional intensity as something to diminish, rather than harness as a strength through proper management.
Crisis Handling: Weekly sessions don’t address 2 AM breakdowns on a Wednesday. Skills that work on-demand, in real-time, are critical.
DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy) changes everything—it’s crafted specifically for those whose emotions sometimes feel uncontrollable.
DBT, developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan (who personally faced intense emotions), was designed for those who experience emotions more intensely than most. It’s a meticulously researched, effective treatment for emotional dysregulation.
DBT’s Distinctive Approach:
Practical Skill Training: Beyond talking, DBT imparts concrete skills for immediate use when emotions surge.
Emotion Validation & Control: DBT accepts all emotions as valid and teaches management without devastation.
Crisis Surviving Tools: DBT offers specialized methods to endure emotional crises sans destructive behaviours.
Mindfulness Practices: Learning to observe rather than drown in emotions allows a clearer emotional space.
Interpersonal Effectiveness: DBT aids in relationship navigation while honoring self-identity amidst emotional triggers.
Distress Tolerance Skills: DBT trains you to endure and navigate stress without rash reactions.
Are you prepared to transition overwhelming emotions into exceptional strength? Get in touch with Ontario Therapy to embark on your journey. Call us today or visit us in Bradford to schedule your initial session. Let us assist you in finding equilibrium within emotional intensity.
Module 1: Mindfulness Skills – The Foundation of Emotional Control
Mindfulness in DBT isn’t about meditation or spiritual practice—it’s about learning to observe your emotions rather than being hijacked by them.
Core Mindfulness Skills:
What This Looks Like in Practice: Instead of saying, “I’m so angry I could scream and this is terrible and I can’t handle it,” you learn to think: “I’m noticing anger in my body. My jaw is tight, my heart is racing, and I have the urge to yell. This feeling is temporary and I can ride it out.”
Module 2: Distress Tolerance – Surviving Crisis Without Making It Worse
When emotions reach crisis levels, your goal isn’t to feel better immediately—it’s to get through the crisis without doing something that will create more problems later.
Crisis Survival Skills:
Radical Acceptance Skills:
What This Prevents: Self-harm, substance use, explosive outbursts, reckless driving, impulsive purchases, sending angry texts, quitting jobs in anger, ending relationships during emotional storms.
Module 3: Emotion Regulation – Understanding and Managing Your Emotional Life
This module teaches you the mechanics of emotions—how they work, why you have them, and how to influence them.
Emotion Regulation Skills:
Building Positive Emotions:
What This Creates: Emotional predictability, faster recovery from upsets, ability to make decisions based on values rather than momentary feelings, improved relationships, increased self-respect.
Module 4: Interpersonal Effectiveness – Relationships Without Emotional Chaos
Relationships are often the biggest trigger for intense emotions. This module teaches you how to navigate relationships effectively while managing your emotional responses.
Relationship Skills:
Conflict Navigation:
What This Improves: Reduced relationship drama, clearer communication, stronger friendships, healthier romantic relationships, better family dynamics, improved work relationships.
I didn’t choose to specialize in DBT by accident—I sought out this training because I witnessed too many emotionally intense people being misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and inadequately treated by traditional approaches.
Real-World DBT Experience:
I understand emotional intensity not just professionally, but personally. I know what it’s like to feel emotions so intensely they seem to take over your entire being. This lived experience, combined with rigorous DBT training, allows me to teach these skills with both expertise and genuine empathy.
Located in the heart of Bradford, our therapy space is a serene and supportive environment for learning DBT skills—easily accessible, comfortable, and perfectly nestled in this charming community.
Why Our Location Supports DBT Learning:
Convenient for Emotionally Intense Individuals:
Serving the DBT Community:
DBT skills can be effectively learned through virtual sessions, and for many in Bradford and beyond, online DBT offers unique advantages for practicing emotional regulation in their natural environment.
Virtual DBT Benefits:
DBT-Specific Virtual Adaptations:
Technology for Emotional Intensity:
Initial Assessment and Safety Planning (Sessions 1-3)
DBT begins with understanding your specific emotional patterns, triggers, and current coping strategies—both healthy and destructive.
DBT Assessment Includes:
Safety and Crisis Planning:
This is the heart of DBT—systematic learning of the four skills modules, with extensive practice and real-world application.
Skills Learning Structure:
Between-Session Practice:
Once you’ve learned the basic skills, DBT focuses on advanced applications and integrating skills into your daily life seamlessly.
Advanced DBT Focus:
Ongoing DBT Maintenance and Growth
DBT isn’t typically a short-term treatment—most people benefit from ongoing skill refreshers and support as they navigate life’s challenges.
Long-term DBT Support:
DBT Therapy in Bradford - Ontario Therapy
When emotions hit crisis level (8/10 or higher), this technique can bring you down to manageable levels within 5-10 minutes.
TIPP works by rapidly changing your body chemistry to interrupt the emotional crisis state. It’s designed for emergencies when you need immediate relief and other skills aren’t accessible.
T – Temperature Change:
I – Intense Exercise:
P – Paced Breathing:
P – Paired Muscle Relaxation:
Why TIPP works: These techniques rapidly activate your parasympathetic nervous system, which calms emotional intensity by changing your body chemistry. They work faster than breathing or mindfulness alone when you’re in crisis.
When to use TIPP: When emotions reach 8/10 or higher, when you have urges to self-harm, when you feel out of control, before important conversations during emotional spikes, or anytime you need rapid emotional regulation.
After using TIPP: Once your emotional intensity drops to 6/10 or below, you can use other DBT skills like mindfulness or distress tolerance more effectively.
“I’ve tried therapy before and it didn’t help—what makes DBT different?”
DBT is fundamentally different from traditional talk therapy. Instead of focusing on insight or processing past experiences, DBT teaches concrete skills you can use immediately when emotions spike. Many people who haven’t responded to other therapies find DBT effective because it addresses the skill deficit rather than just the emotional content.
“I’m worried DBT will make me emotionally numb or change my personality.”
DBT doesn’t try to eliminate your emotions or change your sensitive nature. Instead, it teaches you to experience your full emotional range while staying in control of your actions. Many people find they actually feel emotions more fully once they’re not afraid of being overwhelmed by them.
“What if I can’t learn the skills or I’m too emotional for DBT?”
DBT was specifically designed for people who feel “too emotional” for traditional therapy. The skills are taught gradually, with lots of practice and support. There’s no such thing as being too emotional for DBT—emotional intensity is exactly why DBT was created.
“I’m afraid of the time commitment—how long does DBT take?”
While DBT is often longer-term than some therapies, many people notice improvements in emotional control within the first few months. The skills you learn become part of your toolkit for life, so the investment pays dividends for years to come.
“What if my family doesn’t understand or support DBT treatment?”
Family education is often part of DBT treatment. We can help your loved ones understand emotional dysregulation and how to support your skill development rather than inadvertently undermining it.
“Can DBT help if I also have other mental health conditions?”
DBT is effective for many conditions that involve emotional dysregulation, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance use, and PTSD. DBT skills enhance other treatments rather than competing with them.
“What about medication—do I need it along with DBT?”
Some people benefit from medication to help with sleep, anxiety, or depression while learning DBT skills. DBT can be done with or without medication, and many people find they need less medication as their emotional regulation improves.
“I’m afraid people will judge me for needing help with emotions.”
Needing help with emotional regulation is incredibly common and nothing to be ashamed of. Some people are born with more sensitive nervous systems, just like some people are born with allergies or other differences. DBT is simply learning skills to work with your natural temperament.
“What if I have a crisis between sessions?”
DBT includes specific crisis survival skills and protocols for between-session support. We’ll establish clear plans for managing emotional emergencies, and you’ll have concrete skills to use during crisis moments.
“How do I know if DBT is right for me specifically?”
If you experience emotions more intensely than others, struggle with impulsive behaviors when upset, have difficulty maintaining relationships due to emotional reactivity, or feel like your emotions control your life rather than the other way around, DBT is likely to be helpful.
Contact Ontario Therapy: Begin your journey towards emotional mastery. Reach out to us for a compassionate and expert approach to DBT a few minutes’ drive from Schomberg – in Newmarket. Call us at (647) 855-0530 or visit our OntarioTherapy.org to schedule a consultation.
Intensive DBT combining individual therapy with between-session skills coaching for rapid skill acquisition.
Group Features:
Specialized DBT for teenagers (ages 14-18) with emotional intensity, self-harm, or relationship difficulties.
Teen-Specific Features:
Using DBT principles to improve family dynamics and romantic relationships affected by emotional intensity.
Relationship DBT Services:
Ontario Therapy is more than a collective; it’s a community where healing begins with connection. From every corner of Ontario, we’re here to support your journey to wellness.
Sliding Scale and Accessibility: We understand that emotional dysregulation often impacts work stability and financial security:
DBT Investment Perspective: Learning DBT skills is an investment that pays dividends for life. Most clients find that mastering emotional regulation:
Traditional therapy often focuses on insight and processing past experiences, while DBT teaches concrete skills for managing intense emotions in real-time. DBT assumes you need to learn emotion regulation skills before you can effectively process underlying issues.
Absolutely. While DBT was originally developed for BPD, it’s now used effectively for depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance use, ADHD, and any condition involving emotional dysregulation.
Most people notice some improvement within 2-3 months, with significant changes typically occurring within 6-12 months. However, DBT skills continue to deepen with practice over years.
While DBT skills groups are highly beneficial, individual DBT can be effective on its own. Groups provide peer support and additional practice opportunities, but they’re not mandatory.
We can start with individual DBT to build your skills and confidence before joining a group, or continue with individual work if group participation remains too challenging.
Yes, DBT was specifically developed to help people who engage in self-destructive behaviors. It provides alternative coping strategies and addresses the emotional intensity that often drives these behaviors.
DBT honors your sensitivity as a trait while teaching you to manage its intensity. Many people find they’re able to be even more authentically themselves once they’re not controlled by emotional overwhelm.
DBT includes mindfulness but goes far beyond it. DBT mindfulness is specifically adapted for people with intense emotions and includes concrete skills for distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Yes, family DBT education is often helpful. When family members understand emotional dysregulation and learn some DBT skills themselves, it improves the entire family system.
We offer sliding scale fees, payment plans, and can help you prioritize which components of DBT would be most beneficial within your budget. Many extended health plans cover DBT as psychotherapy.
Southlake Regional Health Centre – crisis support and psychiatric coordination
York Region District School Board – school-based emotional support
Local family physicians – medication coordination when appropriate
Community mental health services – integrated care planning
Individual DBT Therapy:
DBT assessment and treatment planning (75 minutes): $200
Individual DBT sessions (60 minutes): $180-200
Crisis coaching sessions (30 minutes): $100
Family education sessions (60 minutes): $150
Comprehensive DBT skills training available via secure video sessions for emotionally intense individuals anywhere in the province who cannot access specialized DBT services locally.
Right now, your emotions might feel like a tornado that destroys everything in its path. You might believe that you’re just “too much” for other people, that you’ll never have stable relationships, or that you’re destined to live at the mercy of your emotional storms.
But what if that’s not true? What if your emotional intensity is actually a superpower that just needs the right training? What if the same sensitivity that causes you pain also gives you incredible empathy, creativity, and capacity for deep connection?
At Ontario Therapy in Schomberg, we’ve watched hundreds of emotionally intense people transform their relationship with their feelings. Not by becoming emotionally numb, but by learning to ride the waves instead of being crashed by them.
Your emotional intensity means you feel life more deeply than others. This isn’t a flaw—it’s a gift that comes with great responsibility. DBT teaches you how to unwrap that gift safely.
The teenager who was cutting to cope with overwhelming emotions and now uses her sensitivity to help other teens through peer counseling. The man whose anger cost him three jobs who now channels that passion into advocacy work he loves. The woman whose relationship fears kept her isolated who now has the marriage she always dreamed of.
Their emotions didn’t disappear—they learned to work with them instead of against them. They discovered that the very intensity that once felt like a curse could become their greatest strength.
DBT isn’t about changing who you are—it’s about becoming who you’re meant to be when you’re not controlled by emotional chaos. It’s about keeping your sensitive heart while developing an emotionally intelligent mind.
Your emotions have been the weather, and you’ve been at their mercy. DBT teaches you to become the meteorologist—still experiencing all the storms and sunshine, but understanding the patterns and knowing how to prepare.
The comfortable chair in our Schomberg office is ready for you. The secure virtual therapy space is available when you need it. And most importantly, someone who understands both the science of emotional regulation and the lived experience of emotional intensity is here to teach you skills that will serve you for the rest of your life.
contact
Take the brave step toward emotional mastery today:
Ontario Therapy – Newmarket
171 Main Street South
Newmarket, ON L3Y 4Z1
Providing expert DBT therapy to Bradford, Alliston, Newmarket, Barrie, Innisfil, East Gwillimbury, Holland Landing, Cookstown, and communities throughout Ontario. Sliding scale fees, crisis support, and specialized emotional regulation training that honors your sensitivity while building your strength.
24/7 DBT crisis skills support available via text for enrolled clients
Take the first step today:
Ontario Therapy – Newmarket
171 Main Street South
Newmarket, ON L3Y 4Z1
Phone: (647) 855-0530
Email: info@ontariotherapy.org
Online Booking:https://ontariotherapy.janeapp.com/
Providing expert DBT therapy to Newmarket, Aurora, King City, Bradford, Stouffville, and communities throughout Ontario. Sliding scale fees, crisis support, and specialized emotional regulation training that honors your sensitivity while building your strength.
DBT Therapy Hours:
24/7 DBT crisis skills support available via text for enrolled clients
