This presentation will focus on an adapted Dialectical Behaviour Therapy group for clients with developmental disabilities (DD), which was implemented due to a recognized service gap in mental health supports for justice involved clients. The group ran for 12 weeks; each group member had the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a clinician on a weekly basis to get support with homework, as well as problem solving related to skills development. Five participants were recruited from the Downtown East Justice Centre diversion court, as well as from the Community Network of Specialized Care Toronto Region. The presenters will give data on the implementation of this pilot emotion regulation group, as well as outcome data from pre- and post-measures. They will discuss feasibility of implementing group-based mental health supports for this population and will discuss recommendations regarding emotion regulation supports to reduce recidivism for justice involved adults with DD.
Presented at the 2023 HSJCC Virtual Conference on November 16, 2023.
Presenters:
Melissa McMillan
DEVELOPMENTAL JUSTICE CASE MANAGER
Downtown East Justice Centre, Toronto
Kristina Dobosz
DUAL DIAGNOSIS AND JUSTICE COORDINATOR
Community Network of Specialized Care – Toronto Region
Casey Fulford
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
Surrey Place
