Frequently asked questions
getting started as a client
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Broadleaf Health clients may be referred by another healthcare practitioner such as a family physician or psychologist, inpatient units, or outpatient mental health care. Clients may also self-refer.
If you are self-referring, please call the office at 519-265-7734, or use our contact form to begin the intake process.
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Broadleaf Health has set our therapy fees according to guidelines for psychological services outlined by College of Psychologists of Ontario and the College of Social Services Workers of Ontario, and we believe that mental health care should be affordable and accessible to everyone who seeks support.
To see detailed information on our fee guidelines and payment policies click here.
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No. Clients may self-refer.
If you are self-referring, please call the office at 519-265-7734, or use our contact form to begin the intake process.
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To begin the intake process, all clients complete a screening questionnaire and are manually assessed by Broadleaf Health’s clinician team for prioritization.
Our waitlist time varies depending on the treatment needs and preferences of the individual.
We offer continuous intake for DBT Skills Groups, which typically last 24 - 30 weeks.
Individuals will be contacted by our team when a space becomes available to begin the assessment, orientation and commitment process.
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Yes. Broadleaf Health currently offers services for clients in Ontario, and Newfoundland/Labrador.
You can book an intake and information call using our contact form, or by calling the office at 519-265-7734.
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We are happy to provide information about our services to anyone who connects with us.
Prospective clients over the age of 18 need to call themselves to make an appointment. For some who are reluctant to make an initial call, a good fit is to have a close friend or family member call to ask any questions they might have about our services, and then call to schedule themself for the appointment if they wish.
dialectical behaviour therapy
(DBT)
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Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based practice for the treatment of borderline personality disorder (BPD). According to most recent research summaries, DBT is the most effective treatment in reducing features of BPD.
Research shows that for many people, DBT is effective in reducing anger, suicide attempts, emergency room visits, days in hospital, depression, binge-eating and other difficulties. As a comprehensive treatment approach, DBT achieves these benefits by focusing on teaching people skills for how to respond to life’s difficulties more effectively.
In short, while it is impossible to predict the impact of treatment for any one individual, clients can be more confident in the possible benefits of DBT than in any other treatment for BPD or emotion dysregulation and impulsivity more generally.
We offer comprehensive DBT for adults, and adolescents and families.
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Because DBT has been found useful for people struggling with severe difficulties, it has been adapted for use in a range of treatment settings. DBT skills are now commonly taught through inpatient units and as components of some outpatient-based mental health care.
The proliferation of DBT is a clear indication of its effectiveness and an exciting development for those committed to helping those suffering from borderline personality disorder and other intense emotions.
At the same time, it is important that clinicians and clients alike be able to distinguish an adaptation of DBT from comprehensive DBT as it was originally developed.
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Broadleaf Health offers one of the few comprehensive DBT programs in Ontario. This program includes all 4 treatment modes offered by clinicians with years of training and experience in DBT.
Broadleaf Health is also one of two Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Programs in Canada certified by the Linehan Board of Certification. Broadleaf Health is the only certified DBT Program providing services in multiple Canadian provinces and territories.
We also offer an evidence-based adaptation of DBT in the form of a 24-week skills group only course. While there is less evidence supporting this skills training course, recent research suggests that it may also be an effective treatment for some of the difficulties targeted in comprehensive DBT. This course may or may not include individual therapy.
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While DBT adaptations may provide a useful treatment option for those with BPD, the vast majority of research focuses on DBT as a treatment that includes four different treatment modes:
• Individual therapy focused on motivation and work toward clearly identified goals
• Skills training group focused on teaching skills for effective living
• Between appointment contact with clinician to help the client practice skills outside the therapy office
• A consultation team for the clinician to continue to strengthen his or her own skills even after formal training in DBT is completed.
Learn more about Broadleaf Health’s comprehensive DBT treatment program for adults, and adolescents and families.
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There are 4 groups of skills that people learn to utilize in their daily lives, including mindfulness skills, distress tolerance skills, emotion regulation skills, and interpersonal effectiveness skills.
Learn more about DBT skills groups availability through Broadleaf Health here.
cognitive behaviour therapy
(CBT)
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CBT is a group of therapies that work to address difficulties with low mood, anxiety, substance abuse and trauma related symptoms by focusing on helping a person develop healthier habits of thinking and acting.
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CBT has been found to be effective at addressing depression, anxiety, trauma related symptoms and other common psychological disorders.
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Yes, there is a large body of research dating back several decades that CBT is an effective treatment for a range of difficulties.
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Yes. Our clinicians have more than 30 years of training and direct one on one supervision in CBT.
To get started as a client, click here.
mindfulness based therapies (MBTs)
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MBTs include a range of therapies which emphasize acceptance of life’s difficulties as a way of overcoming those difficulties.
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Various MBTs have been found to be effective at addressing depression, anxiety, and chronic physical health conditions including hyperthyroidism and chronic pain.
MBTs are often an effective alternative for those who have already completed a course of CBT and feel they may benefit from further therapy.
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Yes, research has shown several MBT’s to be effective. These include Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
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Currently, we offer Comprehensive DBT and include some elements of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in our services.
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Our clinicians have all had personal mindfulness practices. In some cases this includes intensive practices such as 10 day-long silent meditation retreats.
Dr. Ekblad has also conducted research on mindfulness and offered trainings and lectures on mindfulness.
trauma
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We have experience treating those who have suffered a single trauma, such as a motor vehicle accident, as well as those who have suffered multiple traumas or developmental trauma. We also work with people who have suffered sexual assaults.
We provide trauma treatment to children, youth, and adults. We work with those who have suffered emotional, physical and/or sexual abuse or other trauma in childhood, adulthood, or both.
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Our clinicians have decades of experience treating those who have suffered trauma. In addition to treating trauma with techniques derived from Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, one of our clinicians (Dr. Ekblad) also offers Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) for trauma. PE is the treatment for Post Traumatic Stress that has the highest level of research support for its effectiveness.
Dr. Ekblad has completed a structured training offered by the treatment developer, Dr. Edna Foa, and her team of researchers and clinicians at the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Ekblad is currently working toward a more expert level of training in this therapy through ongoing consultation with PE experts on staff with Dr. Foa.
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Yes, we offer assessment and treatment for members of all armed forces, as well as provincial and local police and other emergency service providers.
We are pleased to be able to offer treatment for trauma and non-trauma related difficulties to these public service providing members of our communities.
Learn more about our wellness services for first responders.
