Hear from the people moving this field forward.
Free, online, monthly presentations with international experts, for relatives, friends, people with lived experience and mental health providers.
Free expert talks, live on Zoom.
- 7pm ET on Zoom
When Swimming Gets Hard: Supporting Young Athletes Through Pressure, Setbacks and Big Emotions
With ESWIM
- 7pm ET on Zoom
Understanding Eating Disorders: Early Identification and Evidence-Based Support
Dr. Nina Mafrici and Dr. Michele Foster
- 7pm ET on Zoom
Is It Really DBT? Questions to Ask Potential Therapists
Tony P. DuBose, PsyD
Studied by researchers. Led by families.
A plain reading of the published research on Family Connections, including where results are mixed. Sashbear’s president Lynn Courey and program strategist Doreen Hyndman are co-authors on two of these papers.
- 2026BPD and Emotion Dysregulation
Online Family Connections compared with the face-to-face format
A naturalistic comparison found online groups comparably effective to in-person groups on burden and depression. Authors call for randomized replication.
Durpoix, Cohen, Slovak et al. - 2024Family Process
A randomized controlled trial of Family Connections
121 family members. No statistically significant differences against treatment as usual, though effect sizes were larger with Family Connections, and the patients of participating relatives improved significantly in stress, depression and anxiety.
Guillén, Fernández-Felipe, Marco et al. - 2024Family ProcessSashbear co-authored
What happens when caregivers become leaders
347 participants. Caregivers who went on to lead reported higher wellbeing and lower distress than those who did not. Preliminary, and supportive of caregiver-led rollout.
Hayes, Courey, Kells, Hyndman, Dempsey, Murphy - 2021Health Expectations
Family Connections for caregivers of youth in Ontario
94 caregivers across three Ontario sites. Significant improvements over time, including caregiver burden, grief and coping.
Boritz, Sheikhan, Hawke, McMain, Henderson - 2021Current Opinion in PsychologySashbear co-authored
What we know, and want to know, about Family Connections
A review from the perspective of lived experience, setting out three future research directions, led by family members who are also peer leaders.
Courey, Hyndman, Sheasgreen, McCay - 2017BPD and Emotion Dysregulation
Family Connections against optimised treatment as usual
Non-randomised controlled study. Significant effect on total burden and grief, with improvements maintained at follow-up.
Flynn, Kells, Joyce et al. - 2005Family Process
The first study of Family Connections
44 participants from 34 families. Significant reductions in grief and burden and a significant increase in mastery, maintained at six months.
Hoffman, Fruzzetti, Buteau et al.
Research needs your voice.
We list current mental health studies from universities and other trusted organizations. Taking part helps improve support for families affected by emotion dysregulation.
See open studiesInclude families from the start.
We collaborate with researchers around the world so the voices of families and people with lived experience are represented. We can help with recruitment and family engagement.
Email info@sashbear.orgOn the global stage.
Sashbear presented twice at the inaugural World DBT Summit, alongside leading international clinicians and researchers.
- Beyond the Therapy Room: Bridging DBT, Families, Communities
- Lived Experience and Involvement of Families in Different Cultures in DBT
Every family deserves skills, support and hope.
Make waves with us. Join a free program, walk in your city, or help another family find their footing.