Expert Education Series

Sashbear’s Expert Education Series is a series of free, online, monthly presentations with international experts speaking on topics related to emotion dysregulation and family skills.

Whether you are a relative or friend, a person with lived experience of BPD, or a mental health service provider, you will find something in our library of presentations to help you understand more about BPD and emotion dysregulation.

Click here to find a list of upcoming presentations in French.

Upcoming Presentations
Dr. Amanda Uliaszek

Wednesday, October 21, 2026 | 7pm ET

BPD without the Blame: Breaking Stigma and Building Connections

Living with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) can be challenging, not only because of its symptoms, but also because of the stigma, blame, and shame that often shape relationships with family, friends, colleagues, and healthcare providers. This presentation explores how emotional expression and communication styles can become targets for misunderstanding, while also recognizing the challenges faced by family members supporting someone in distress. We’ll examine the impact of internalized stigma and the self-defeating thought patterns that can keep people feeling stuck. Drawing on years of research, clinical experience, and resources co-designed with people living with BPD, this presentation offers practical, compassionate strategies to reduce self-stigma, strengthen relationships, support caregivers, and foster greater understanding, connection, and hope.

Amanda A. Uliaszek, Ph.D., C.Psych. (Associate Professor and Program Coordinator, Graduate Department of Psychological Clinical Science), is a clinical psychologist with a research program exploring transdiagnostic factors related to personality pathology and emotion dysregulation; this includes an examination of structural models, etiological factors, and prognostic indicators. This program of study extends to dialectical behavior therapy, with a specific focus on understanding and improving treatments for adolescents and university students. Dr. Uliaszek’s current research more broadly prioritizes psychotherapy mechanisms, outcomes, program improvement and evaluation, as well as barriers to treatment implementation, in a variety of hospital, community, and residential treatment settings.

Dr. Nina Mafrici,
Ph.D., C.Psych.
Dr. Michele Foster,
Ph.D., C.Psych.

Wednesday, November 25, 2026 | 7pm ET

Understanding Eating Disorders: Early Identification and Evidence-Based Support

This webinar provides an overview of eating disorders in youth and adults, highlighting current risk factors, early warning signs, and the impact of sociocultural influences. Drawing on evidence-based practice, the presenters will discuss the importance of early identification and outline pathways to recovery through timely intervention, multidisciplinary care, and meaningful engagement of families and caregivers.

Dr. Nina Mafrici and Dr. Michele Foster are Registered Clinical Psychologists and Co-Founders of Toronto Psychology & Wellness Group, a multidisciplinary practice supporting youth, adults, couples, and families. Both earned their doctorates in Clinical Psychology from the University of Toronto and bring over 15 years of experience treating mood and anxiety disorders, eating disorders, trauma, addictions, and emotion regulation using evidence-based approaches including CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and trauma-focused therapies. They co-developed Ontario’s first outpatient, non-hospital-based integrated Eating Disorder Program and regularly present workshops in schools and community settings.

Recordings Coming Soon:

Behind the Screen: Digital Risk and Resilience in Youth Mental Health

The Impact of Educating Family Members & Significant Others with Knowledge, Skills and Hope

Putting Support Into Practice: DBT Skills for Families Facing Addictive Behaviours

When Therapy Gets Hard: Helping Loved Ones Stay Engaged in Treatment for BPD

Understanding DBT: The Lived Experience and Therapist Perspectives

Recordings of Recent Presentations
The Compassion of No: Mastering the Art of Limits and Your Fear of the Aftermath
Trauma and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder 101: What is it, what causes it, and what helps it get better
Self-Compassion: An Antidote to Shame and Self-Criticism
Library of Recorded Presentations

Explore our library of more than 70 presentations. We are adding more all the time. Head over to YouTube to start learning.

Topics include:

  • Lived experience — living with borderline personality disorder
  • Skills for family members — learning about dialectical thinking, relationship mindfulness, validation, and more
  • Mental health disorders — what does emotional dysregulation look like when someone also has another mental health disorder such as PTSD or OCD
  • Concerning behaviours — Gain understanding and skills to cope if your loved one is dealing with substance use, self-harm, or an eating disorder
  • Trauma — Learn about the intersection of trauma and BPD. Recognize the potential and impact of trauma on family members
  • Suicide, grief and loss
  • Evidence-based treatment modalities — Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Mentalization Based Therapy, Radically Open DBT, Mindfulness
  • Indigenous cultural safety and awareness

Featured Presentations

Understanding Emotion Dysregulation
Finding Balance Through Dialectics
DBT Skills for Family Members