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
Melanie Goldman
Dr. Kiki Fehling
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | 7pm ET
Understanding DBT: The Lived Experience and Therapist Perspectives
This webinar, co-facilitated by Dr. Kiki Fehling, a Linehan-board-certified DBT clinical psychologist, author, and expert, and Melanie Goldman, owner of Mind Over Borderline Therapy and a professional with lived experience of borderline personality disorder (BPD), will bring together two perspectives that are rarely shared in the same space. The session will address some of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), bridging clinical expertise with lived experience to provide families and individuals with a fuller, more nuanced understanding. Together, the facilitators will explore important and often-overlooked questions such as: What is the difference between DBT-informed and DBT-adherent treatment? Is DBT truly the “gold standard” for BPD, and does it work for everyone? What if someone’s first experience of DBT was negative—does that mean it isn’t a good fit? Should all DBT therapists be Linehan-board-certified? In addition to answering these questions, the webinar will highlight the growing expansions of DBT, including its applications for trauma, adolescents, and Radical Openness (RO). By combining the insights of a practitioner trained by some of the world’s leading experts in DBT, alongside the perspective of lived experience, this session aims to reduce stigma, clarify misconceptions, and give both families and individuals with BPD an opportunity to see “both sides of the coin.”
Melanie Goldman is an RP(Q) under supervision and the founder of Mind Over Borderline Clinic, a clinic that specializes in support for individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and their families. An advocate, speaker, writer, musician, and spiritual guide, she has spent more than a decade championing the BPD community through peer facilitation, formal training with organizations such as Emotions Matter, and her role as a cast member of The BPD Bunch YouTube series.
Melanie’s approach is all-rounded and personalized, integrating evidence-based therapies with wisdom gained from diverse mentors and holistic practices worldwide. Melanie regularly speaks to audiences around the globe to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and inspire hope. Inspired by her grandmother Rae, who had bipolar disorder and likely BPD. Melanie is committed to helping everyone find their own “Rae of Light in the Darkness.”
Dr. Kiki Fehling (they/she) is a licensed psychologist, writer, speaker, and consultant. An expert in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), borderline personality disorder, self-harm, and LGBTQ+ mental health, Kiki is passionate about sharing evidence-based mental health information with as many people as she can. Kiki teaches about DBT skills and other coping tools through her social media accounts @dbtkiki. She’s the author of Self-Directed DBT Skills: A 3-Month DBT Workbook, DBT Cards for Coping Skills, and The LGBTQ+ Mental Health Workbook (publishing in June 2026).
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.
Ph.D., C.Psych.
Dr. Michele Foster,
Ph.D., C.Psych.
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
Recordings of Recent Presentations
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