Borderline Personality Disorder therapists in Ottawa, Ontario ON, Canada CA
We are proud to feature top rated Borderline Personality Disorder therapists in Ottawa. We encourage you to review each profile to find your best match.
Borderline Personality Disorder
Jessie Erb
Registered Psychotherapist, DPsychotherapy
My specialization is in BPD - working with clients through a Psychdynamic Lens.
12 Years Experience
Online in Ottawa, ON Ontario (Online Only)
Borderline Personality Disorder
Barbara Freedman
Licensed Mental Health Counsellor
The BPD and Trauma Connection Several trauma survivors have been diagnosed by other professionals with BPD , even though it is thought to be genetic in some cases. I have had extensive experience dealing with those who have been affected by this disorder due to the abuse or neglect they sustained during childhood. As a Mental Health Worker/Counsellor, on Ottawa's Victim Quick Response List for the past 9 years, I have successfully worked with over hundreds of Victim Service clients, in such areas as, child abuse, sexual trauma and exploitation including rape, incest, being sex trafficked, along with intimate partner violence.
Individuals with BPD reflect an attachment injury leading them to the formulation of implausible perceptions and conclusions about what other people’s actions and behaviors. Their distorted fashion of interpretation leads them to believe that they cannot trust anyone as this would only involve disappointment. As a child, when their caregiver did not show up for them, they tried desperately to adapt repeatedly, however were unsuccessful and learned that this involves too much energy and does not work. They continue to experience life as a child, as they have been left with these intense perspectives and overwhelming emotions which are turned up to maximum volume on much of what they feel. When these states become traits, they cause profound distress. Rejection sensitivity is a key feature of this disorder resulting in interpersonal difficulties, along with failed relationships characterized by extreme feelings of emptiness, abandonment, and lack of identity. All these behaviors further lead to the tendency for those around them to feel that they are walking on eggshells.
I often used both experiential inner child work in addition to Dialectical Behavior Skills to address the issues involved in this disorder.
The role of counselling for those with BPD is to start to uncover painful emotional wounds and feelings which they have disconnected from for years. Rather than sitting with and experiencing their feelings clients with BPD have been experts in covering, hiding, or dissociating from them. Interventions involving DBT-Dialectic Behavior Therapy includes skills training connected to Mindfulness, Emotion Regulation(Anger management), and Distress Tolerance, which is comprised of stress management, conflict resolution as well as cognitive behavior therapy.
While it has taken considerable time, I have helped many with this process through patience, understanding and validation of what they had been through. I help to provide light at the end of this dark tunnel .
23 Years Experience
Online in Ottawa, ON Ontario (Online Only)
Borderline Personality Disorder
Tangled Minds Psychotherapy
Registered Psychotherapist, MA, RP, RCC
There are a lot of opinions about BPD. It is our most highly stigmatized mental health disorder—and having this label attached can be incredibly painful. The idea of your very personality being "disordered" can make change seem impossible.
I treat BPD as a nervous system, attachment-based issue. In plain speak: in folks with BPD, the parts of our brain that monitor our close relationships can get really, really triggered, activate our fight-or-flight systems, and spiral into some extreme behaviors or thoughts with huge emotions. BPD means the sense of self—the story of who we are—is often shaky and highly dependent on the people around us. This isn’t a stable foundation for healthy relationships or a healthy life.
While I am trained in the gold standard for BPD—Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)—I heavily integrate attachment theory, Mentalization-Based Therapy (literally helping people think about their thoughts in new ways and not get so stuck in them), and mindfulness.
My BPD treatment approach has four parts:
Stabilization: Learning how to calm the nervous system. Breath practices, sensory grounding, coping strategies, and meditation help us slow down in the moment and get our brains back online.
Acceptance and Mentalization: Briefly diving into the history and origin of where BPD developed in the patient. It doesn’t come out of nowhere; understanding its roots helps patients accept that the big explosions of emotion are rooted in early coping strategies and that you were doing your best to survive. This helps us step back, see the scared parts with some love, and start to build new stories about how we want to act in the world.
Attachment: Locking in to how we want to act with the people in our lives. We get specific! We learn specific ways to express our emotions in healthy ways and how to ask for our emotional needs to be met in ways that actually get them met—with good boundaries. Having a trusted therapist here is key. Navigating intimate relationships is tough at the best of times, but a BPD diagnosis makes it way more difficult. Having someone who understands traumatized attachment patterns and can tell you when you’re off track can make a world of difference.
Mindfulness and Self-Compassion: This doesn’t mean learning to sit still and feel all-pervading calm and peace. I don’t think that’s actually a thing! Practicing mindfulness specifically tailored to attachment disorders is one of the most helpful things we can do to slow the brain down, be able to "label" the intense thoughts and feelings, step back, and follow through with new actions. It’s tough. No one likes sitting and having to actually watch what comes up in their brains, but it’s worth it. Self-compassion doesn’t mean letting ourselves off the hook for behaviors that are harmful to ourselves or others. It means systematically building a brain that can sit with pain, understand and feel it, and then act in ways that actually help. Again: difficult, but worth it.
BPD therapy is difficult. My clients usually end up in therapy because trying to fix it on their own hasn't worked. With a clear path and clear goals, a better life is possible.
7 Years Experience
Online in Ottawa, ON Ontario (Online Only)
Borderline Personality Disorder
Delphine Amer
Registered Psychotherapist, M.Sc., Registered Psychotherapist
The ups and downs and roller coaster of emotions that often lead to break ups and tension in our relationships can be so difficult to live with. The good news is is that tools are available to enable you to understand the drivers behind your strong emotions. Together, we will learn about tools available utilizing DBT (dialectical behavioural therapy) for BPD. DBT has been shown to be clinical effective for borderline personality disorder. I will work to develop our therapeutic rapport; the catalyst to change. Congratulations on deciding to get help to live the life you deserve.
12 Years Experience
Online in Ottawa, ON Ontario (Online Only)
Borderline Personality Disorder
Sarah Bickle
Registered Psychotherapist, MPsy., R.P.
Living with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) can feel disorienting. If you're struggling with intense emotions, relationship difficulties, or self-image issues, therapy can provide the tools to create lasting change. My trauma-informed approach integrates techniques like DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) to help you manage emotions, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and rebuild trust in yourself. Together, we can explore the origins of your experiences and work to reshape patterns of behaviour to promote healing and growth.
In our work together, I prioritize creating a safe, non-judgmental space where you can express yourself freely—without fear of criticism or rejection. I believe in the importance of being able to explore your emotions and thoughts openly, while working collaboratively to understand and connect the different parts of yourself. This process is all about building self-trust and fostering a sense of acceptance, so you can feel safe within yourself. Our work together focuses on helping you navigate emotional intensity, strengthening your sense of self, and creating healthier, more balanced relationships.
6 Years Experience
Online in Ottawa, ON Ontario (Online Only)
Borderline Personality Disorder
Ashley Berger
Registered Psychotherapist, BEd, MACP, RP
If you feel like your mood swings are all over the place, that you have trouble forming positive relationships, that you may feel depressed, it is likely a good idea to work with someone to help you through your experiences. I have worked with many clients who have Borderline Personality Disorder, and have seen great progress using Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. Reach out to see if this resonates with you and book a free 15-minute consultation with me today.
3 Years Experience
In-Person in Ottawa, ON
Online in Ottawa, ON Ontario
Borderline Personality Disorder
Kristen See
Registered Psychotherapist, MA, RP
I have specialized in supporting folks with BPD for almost a decade. In fact, I was once diagnosed with BPD and as a result I understand the complexity, intensity, and stigmatization of the borderline experience. While I offer standardized care through DBT, I also have the awareness that a standardized, textbook approach doesn't work for everyone. I view BPD as a set of nervous system reactions that are in response to attachment trauma and/or childhood emotional neglect. Together, we will not only establish effective coping strategies for concerns like fear of abandonment, but will also work to process and heal from the traumas that contribute to feeling triggered and emotionally dysregulated. Recovery IS achievable and I'm happy to support you for the long haul. Many of my clients experience symptom reduction within a year; many no longer meet criteria for BPD or have been re-assessed and properly diagnosed with (C)PTSD and/or a neurodivergent condition.
7 Years Experience
Online in Ottawa, ON Ontario (Online Only)
Borderline Personality Disorder
Tanya Beach
Registered Psychotherapist, MA, RP (Qualifying)
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a complex and often misunderstood condition, characterized by emotional instability, impulsive behaviors, and significant challenges in interpersonal relationships. These emotional fluctuations can leave you feeling in a constant state of dysregulation, affecting your thoughts, moods, and behaviors. My approach to working with BPD is informed by Internal Family Systems (IFS), where we explore the different emotional parts that emerge in order to better understand their origins and purposes. Given the complexity and stigma surrounding BPD, it's essential to explore the underlying factors contributing to your experience, including early childhood relationships and current relational patterns. Together, we will work toward gradually rebuilding your sense of self and addressing any confusion about your view of self and your view of others. Book a free 15-minute consultation with me to see if I’m the right fit for you.
3 Years Experience
In-Person in Ottawa, ON
Online in Ottawa, ON Ontario
Borderline Personality Disorder
Semra Lamky, Emotional Peace Psychotherapy
Registered Psychotherapist, Registered Psychotherapist (RP), Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC), MACP, Bsc
I provide compassionate, nonjudgmental support for individuals living with personality disorders, including borderline, avoidant, and other complex patterns of relating and coping. Understanding the deep-rooted emotional pain and relational difficulties that can come with these experiences, I use a trauma-informed, DBT- and psychodynamically-informed approach to help clients build emotional regulation, strengthen self-identity, and improve interpersonal relationships. My goal is to support you in creating meaningful and lasting change, leading to a more stable and fulfilling life.
3 Years Experience
Online in Ottawa, ON Ontario (Online Only)
Ottawa's identity as Canada's capital and a major hub for the federal public service creates a therapy landscape shaped by the particular stresses of government work — including bureaucratic frustration, political exposure, and the weight of careers lived in proximity to national policy decisions. The city's large bilingual population means both French- and English-speaking therapists are essential, with many practitioners offering services in both official languages. The Ottawa Hospital and Montfort Hospital provide institutional mental health resources alongside a private practice community serving the Glebe, Westboro, and Barrhaven areas. Ottawa's significant visible minority communities — including large Lebanese, Chinese, and Somali populations — drive growing demand for culturally affirming and multilingual therapists.
Borderline Personality Disorder therapists in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Statistics
Borderline Personality Disorder therapists in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada average 10 years of experience and charge around $176 per session. 100% offer online sessions. The top treatment approaches are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (79%), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) (72%), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) (70%).
Average years in practice
10 Years Experience
Average cost per session
$176
Accept insurance
91%
Offer sliding scale
78%
Gender ID
| 74% |
Female |
|
| 20% |
Male |
|
| 4% |
Non-Binary |
|
| 2% |
Gender Fluid |
|
Session Type
| 67% |
In Person and Online |
|
| 33% |
Online Only |
|
Top Treatment Approaches
| 79% | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) |
| 72% | Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) |
| 70% | Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) |
| 64% | Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) |
| 53% | Narrative Therapy |
| 52% | Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) |
| 48% | Psychodynamic Therapy |
Ages Served
| 99% | Adult |
| 82% | Young Adult |
| 79% | Teen |
| 64% | Senior |
| 36% | Children |
Client Focus
| 59% | Women |
| 50% | Men |
| 48% | LGBTQ+ |
| 37% | Persons with Disabilities |
| 35% | Asian |