The Family Connections™ program is a free 12-week course* based on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), for individuals with loved ones struggling with chronic emotion dysregulation or borderline personality disorder (BPD).
This course provides valuable tools to improve your own well-being and helps you better understand and support your loved one.
* Developed by Dr. Alan Fruzzetti and Dr. Perry Hoffman
How to Join
- Step 1: Fill out the application to join the waitlist → Apply Now
- Step 2: Hear back 4–6 weeks before class starts.
- Step 3: Visit our resources page for helpful information while you wait.
At the very first meeting, we realized we weren’t alone. The course and the community have been a lifeline—strengthening us to be better parents and partners.
Course Highlights
- 12 weekly sessions of evidence-based DBT skills + 1-2 hrs per week practising skills.
- Led by trained peers who have lived experience with a loved one with BPD or chronic emotion dysregulation.
- Learn about BPD and its impact.
- Build a supportive community and resilience.
The Family Connections course gave us the skills to understand our daughter’s illness. With that knowledge came understanding and compassion. It has empowered us to manage the effects of BPD with strategy and patience.
Eligibility & FAQ
- Current wait times: 3-4 months.
- Location: Zoom (up to 8 courses per year) and once a year in-person at The Royal, 1145 Carling Ave, Ottawa, ON.
- Class Times: Fall, Winter, Spring — choose Saturday mornings (9:30–12:00) or weekday evenings (6:30–9:00).
- Format: A mix of education, skill-building, and group discussion in a supportive, peer-led environment.
- Our classes are available to those in the Ottawa, Ontario region. If you live outside this area, please register at https://sashbear.org/family-connections/.
Contact intake@on-bpd.ca if you have other questions about the Family Connections program.