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. Skye Fitzpatrick, PhD.
Wednesday, April 22, 2026 | 7pm ET
Trauma and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder 101: What is it, what causes it, and what helps it get better
This webinar will provide an overview of key information about traumatic event experiences and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It will provide concrete information about what PTSD is, what keeps it going, and the different treatments that research shows help it get better. This will include an overview of individual psychotherapies, couple psychotherapies, and online self-help interventions that have been shown to be useful in the treatment of PTSD.
Dr. Skye Fitzpatrick is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at York University and the director of the Treating and Understanding Life-threatening behaviour and Posttraumatic stress (TULiP lab). Dr. Fitzpatrick is focused on demystifying, destigmatizing, and broadening access to treatments for borderline personality disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder. Dr. Fitzpatrick has published ~100 peer-reviewed manuscripts and book chapters to these ends. She has also been awarded over $9.5 million CAD in research funding for work in these and related areas.
Dr. Gillian C. Galen, PSYD
Wednesday, May 13, 2026 | 7pm ET
The Compassion of “No”: Mastering the Art of Limits and Your Fear of the Aftermath
Setting limits is often the missing piece in sustainable caregiving and recovery. While the fear of saying “no” can feel overwhelming, avoiding it often leads to a cycle of resentment and burnout that helps no one. Setting limits helps build a strong foundation for recovery and provides building blocks for relationships and connection.
Join us for an interactive session where we transform limit-setting from a source of anxiety into a tool for healing. You will learn:
- The “Why”: Why clear limits are the kindest gift you can give your loved one
- The Hurdles: Identifying the fears that hold you back
- The How-To: Practical strategies for navigating the “aftermath” of a limit
- The Outcome: Moving from resentment to clarity and mutual respect
Gillian C. Galen, PsyD, is a senior child and adolescent psychologist specializing in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). She is the director of training for the 3East continuum at McLean Hospital, Boston, an array of programs for teens that uses DBT to target self-endangering behaviors and symptoms of borderline personality disorder.
Dr. Galen has extensive experience diagnosing and treating adolescents and young adults who struggle with emotion dysregulation, anxiety, depression, trauma, and self-endangering behaviors, such as self-injury and suicidal behaviors.
She is the co-author of the books “Mindfulness for Borderline Personality Disorder: Relieve Your Suffering Using the Core Skill of Dialectical Behavior Therapy”, “Coping With BPD: DBT and CBT Skills to Soothe the Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder”, and “DBT for Dummies.”
Dr. Nina Mafrici,
Ph.D., C.Psych.
Ph.D., C.Psych.
Dr. Michele Foster,
Ph.D., C.Psych.
Ph.D., C.Psych.
Wednesday, June 10, 2026 | 7pm ET
Behind the Screen: Digital Risk and Resilience in Youth Mental Health
This webinar will explore how social media and digital environments influence young people’s emotional well-being, identity development, and self-esteem. Drawing on current research and clinical practice, we will examine risk factors such as comparison, cyberstress, and online validation, alongside practical tools to support healthy digital engagement, recognize warning signs, and promote emotional regulation and psychological well-being in youth.
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.
Dr. Tali Boritz
Wednesday, August 12, 2026 | 7pm ET
When Therapy Gets Hard: Helping Loved Ones Stay Engaged in Treatment for BPD
Family members often play an important role in supporting individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) or emotion dysregulation during treatment. Central to effective psychotherapy is the therapeutic alliance—the collaborative, trusting relationship between client and therapist. In BPD treatments, this relationship is both a powerful driver of change and a place where challenges can arise. Because therapy often addresses intense emotions and interpersonal patterns, moments of tension or strong reactions are common and can become opportunities for growth when worked through constructively. This presentation introduces family members to the therapeutic alliance and its role in treatment. By normalizing common challenges in therapy, the presentation aims to equip families with tools to support persistence, collaboration, and hope in the treatment journey.
Dr. Tali Boritz is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at York University, Toronto, Canada. She is a clinical psychologist, researcher, and educator. Her research focuses on enhancing BPD treatments and translating research into practical training tools for clinicians and trainees. She has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and the book Deliberate Practice in Dialectical Behavior Therapy. She is Past President of the North American Society for Psychotherapy Research.
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
October 2026 - Coming Soon
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 of Recent Presentations
Library of Recorded Presentations
Explore our library of more than 60 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