Psychotherapy for
Bipolar Disorder
From Someone Who's Lived It.
Yuval Dinary | RSW, Psychotherapist
From Someone
who’s Lived It.
Yuval Dinary
RSW, Psychotherapist
You're Not Looking for General Therapy
Living with bipolar disorder, or loving someone who does, is its own thing. The manic episodes, the depressive crashes, the medication negotiations, learning to trust yourself again after psychosis - you already know this is not why your friends needed therapy. General therapy can help with a lot of things, but this isn't one of them. When you have a complication with your foot, you see a podiatrist. When the problem is bipolar disorder, you see a bipolar specialist.
Who I Am
I'm Yuval Dinary, a Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist, specializing exclusively in bipolar disorder. I've also lived with early onset bipolar 1 since I was 13. The manic episodes, the psychotic features, the depressive crashes, and the long, unglamorous work of rebuilding after each one - I get it. My clinical training tells me what the research says. My lived experience tells me what the research doesn't capture. You get both the clinical rigor and the insider knowledge.
How I Work
Bipolar disorder is an awful dance. Once you understand it, you can work with it instead of just surviving it. My job is to help you see that dance clearly - what it looks like when the tempo is speeding up, slowing down, or changing meters. Your patterns, your warning signs, your triggers. Eventually, you may choose not to be pulled into bipolar's dance. That means practical tools for managing both poles, the difficult conversations you can't have with people who haven't been there, and help making sense of what you've been through. A great life is possible with this disorder, but getting there takes work, and I won't sugarcoat that. Sessions are conducted virtually, so wherever you are, we can work together.
Who I Work With
Individuals With Bipolar Disorder
Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been managing this for years, we’ll work on building a life that bipolar disorder doesn’t get to run.
Rate: $200 per session (50 min)
Families and
Loved Ones
When someone you love has bipolar disorder, you need support too. You need someone who can tell you what’s actually happening from the inside and what to do about it.
Rate: $200 per session (50 min)
Not Sure?
If you’ve seen a therapist who didn’t quite get it, you’ll notice the difference here. Book a free 15-minute call and let’s see if we’re a good fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between therapy and coaching?
Therapy is a regulated professional service and I’m accountable to the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers as a regulated practitioner. It’s available to clients physically located in Ontario and is recognized by most insurance plans.
Coaching is unregulated and available to anyone outside Ontario, Canada. The work is similar in many ways (understanding bipolar disorder, building skills, navigating the disorder’s impact on your life, etc.) but it doesn’t constitute a regulated therapeutic relationship and isn’t covered by insurance. If you’re outside Ontario and looking for support, coaching is how we can work together.
Do you prescribe medication?
No. As a Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist, prescribing medication is outside my scope of practice. That’s your psychiatrist’s or family doctor’s job. What I can do is help you understand your medications, navigate side effects, and develop the self-advocacy skills to have better conversations with the people who do prescribe them.
How often would we meet?
That depends on where you are. Most clients start with me when they’re not doing well so we see each other weekly. As things stabilize, we might shift to biweekly, and eventually monthly check-ins to maintain progress and catch early warning signs before they become something bigger. My favourite client is the one I helped, they didn’t need me anymore, and then sent me an email about how great their life is going a while later.
What's your cancellation policy?
I require 24 hours notice for cancellations or rescheduling. Late cancellations and no-shows are charged the full session fee. Life happens, just communicate with me as soon as you can.
Does insurance cover therapy for bipolar disorder?
If you’re in Ontario and your plan covers Registered Social Workers, likely yes. All of my insured clients have been successfully reimbursed, but coverage varies. OHIP does not cover private psychotherapy. Receipts are provided for every session for reimbursement. Verify your coverage with your provider before booking.
If you’re outside Ontario, your insurance is unlikely to cover coaching services.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Book a free 15-minute call here.
Questions? Reach out: info@yuvaldinary.com