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Groups, Workshops & Webinars

Coping Skills for Change 12-Week Groups

Free virtual or in-person groups to help you learn Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills of mindfulness, skills to improve your relationships, strategies to improve overall wellness, and how to cope with challenging emotions.

As this group is treatment-focused, not all individuals will be eligible. Some may have needs that are too complex to be treated within the program or fall outside the focus of the group. For a full list of inclusion/exclusion criteria, please click here. For those that fall outside of these criteria and are still interested in learning DBT skills, please consider registering for one of our Workshops below.

Self-referrals and referrals from health care professionals or caregivers for groups are submitted through one-Link via the referral form here. Registration is a 2-step process and individuals are booked for screening interviews to determine group eligibility following referral.

Spring 2024 groups are now open for referrals. Choose 1 of 3 sessions:

Tuesdays, April 9 to June 25, 6:00 – 8:30 pm – virtual

Wednesdays, April 10 to June 26, 1:30 – 4:00 pm – virtual

Thursdays. April 11 to June 27, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm – in person at Oakville Central Library Branch, Oakville


Coping Skills for Change Workshop Series

Coping Skills for Change offers Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) provides psychoeducational workshops, focused on teaching mindfulness, emotional and stress management, communication skills to improve relationships, and strategies to improve overall mental health and wellness.

To register for the following workshops, please click the course dates below.

Mindfulness in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

Incorporating mindfulness in our day-to-day has numerous benefits for our emotional and psychological wellbeing. This free, 2-session interactive workshop offers opportunities to learn and practice being more present in your own life and increase compassion for yourself and others. We review core mindfulness skills including Wise Mind and other vital ways to live a more mindful life.

Tuesdays, March 5 and 12, 1:30 to 4 pm – virtual

Emotion Regulation

Emotions guide our lives but can sometimes be difficult to regulate. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills can help us reduce emotional suffering by teaching us to identify emotions and their purpose in our lives. During this free, 3-session interactive workshop, we will learn ways to reduce our vulnerability to extreme emotions and how to change our emotional responses when our reactions are not effective.

Fridays, March 8, 15, and 22, 9 to 11:30 am – virtual

Interpersonal Effectiveness

Navigating social and interpersonal dynamics can be challenging. Join this free, 3-session interactive workshop to learn Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills to help us become more effective at asking for what we need while maintaining our self respect. Topics include overcoming extremes in our thinking to approach life with a balanced perspective and the importance of validation in creating and maintaining healthy relationships.

Managing Emotional Crisis with Distress Tolerance Skills

Stressful situations are unavoidable when living a full, beautiful life, and learning to effectively manage emotions during triggers is essential. Join this free, 2-session interactive workshop to learn Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills to help manage distress in healthier ways, including tools to help us survive emotional crises and other challenges in our lives.

Tuesdays, March 19 and 26, 1:30 to 4 pm – virtual

Full Day Coping Skills Workshop

Looking to learn a number of skills within one workshop? Join us for this full day workshop to learn how to be more mindful, handle stressful situations and be more effective interpersonally.

Monday, March 18, 9:30 am to 4 pm – virtual

Family-to-Family Caregiver Education Program

A free 8-week course for caregivers of adults with mental health conditions. Learn to understand and support your loved one while maintaining your own   well-being at this evidence-based education program taught by trained family members who have loved ones with mental health conditions. Topics include diagnoses, brain biology, treatment, and communication techniques.

Registration for our next virtual groups is now open:

Wednesdays, March 20 to May 8, 6 to 8:30 pm

Tuesdays, April 16 to June 4, 1:30 to 4:00 pm

For more details and to express your interest in attending, email [email protected] and provide your phone number and email so we can follow up.

Structured Relapse Prevention Groups

4-Week Group

If you have moderate to severe substance use problems, are willing to work towards changing your use of alcohol or other drugs, and want to learn how to cope with daily substance use triggers, cravings and risk situations, this group is for you.

We will discuss various cognitive and behavioural approaches that address specific steps in the relapse process through goal-setting. TOPICS:

WEEK 1: Understanding Your Substance Use, WEEK 2: Triggers and Cravings, WEEK 3: Coping Skills, WEEK 4: Creating a plan

When: Mondays 2:00pm to 3:30 pm

Where: Virtual Zoom (registration required)

Please contact SRP at [email protected] to register.

Maintenance Group

This drop-in group is designed to support individuals who have completed the 4-week SRP program or
other treatment program. In this ongoing group, we provide a safe environment to reinforce coping strategies, share experiences and foster a sense of community, empowering each person to sustain their progress on the journey to recovery. Together, we will navigate the challenges and celebrate the victories, promoting lasting resilience and wellbeing.

Topics include understanding your substance use, connecting with peers, reinforcing and developing coping skills, managing triggers and cravings, creating and modifying goals and a plan, building resiliency, and positive reinforcement.

When: Wednesdays 1:00pm to 2:00 pm

Where: Virtual Zoom (registration required)

Please contact SRP at [email protected] to register.

AFFIRM

We are proud to offer AFFIRM, an affirmative group for LGBTQ2S+ youth and adults that integrates identity affirmation with cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT).AFFIRM is a 9-session group focused on reducing symptoms of depression and improving coping skills and sexual self-efficacy.

Stay tuned for dates.

AFFIRM is supported through the Oakville Community Foundation’s GIVEOakville program. We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the MacDonald Family Foundation held at The Foundation.

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