In today’s fast-paced and often challenging world, teenagers face unique pressures that can test their emotional and psychological resilience. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) offers a robust toolkit that may help youth learn how to manage difficult emotions, improve their interpersonal relationships, and cultivate mindfulness in their daily lives.
At HillsideCares, our team has developed a comprehensive DBT program tailored for teens. This initiative strives to equip clients with the skills necessary for navigating adolescence. At the same time, it empowers them to lead more fulfilling and balanced lives. Through a blend of individual therapy, group sessions, and mindfulness skills development, our program stands as a beacon of support that guides youth through the complexities of their formative years with compassion and understanding. To learn more about our dialectical behavior therapy program, reach out to our team of experts today at 323.641.4842.
What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Teens?
DBT is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy. It can help people manage negative emotions and harmful behaviors by developing coping mechanisms and mindfulness practices. Originating from the work of psychologist Marsha M. Linehan in the late 1980s, DBT was initially designed to treat borderline personality disorder.
Its application has broadened to include helping youth who experience a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues, including self-harm and substance abuse. It achieves these results by helping teach youth applicable skills in mindfulness and stress management. These DBT skills for adolescents help adolescents learn how to deal with the stressors of development in a healthier manner while giving them tips they can use when anxiety, depression, and other common mental health symptoms arise.
The core of DBT lies in its focus on dialectics, or finding a balance between acceptance and change. This therapy teaches DBT skills to adolescents in four key areas:
- Mindfulness
- Distress tolerance
- Emotion regulation
- Interpersonal effectiveness
For youth, these skills are particularly beneficial as they navigate the complexities of adolescence. They may help them to understand and manage their emotions, build stronger relationships, and make healthier choices. These DBT skills offer a comprehensive approach to supporting young people in overcoming their challenges and embracing the challenges of adolescence.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy Techniques
In dialectical behavior therapy sessions, therapists employ various techniques designed to help youth:
- Manage their emotions
- Develop healthy coping mechanisms
- Improve interpersonal relationships
Mindfulness techniques help individuals stay present and fully engage with the current moment without judgment, while distress tolerance provides strategies to cope with momentary stress and avoid actions that could worsen the situation. Emotion regulation skills teach techniques to manage and change intense emotions that can cause problems in a person’s daily life.
Young people participating in DBT can expect to engage in both individual therapy and group skills training. The individual sessions focus on personal challenges and progress. Conversely, group sessions provide a platform to learn, discuss, and practice new skills alongside peers. The overarching goal is to instill a greater sense of self-awareness and the ability to face life’s challenges with resilience and confidence.
Through these techniques, DBT helps youths develop a better understanding of themselves and their behaviors. This helps to create a growth environment where they can learn to cope with stress, regulate their emotions, and improve their relationships.
Reach out to HillsidesCares for DBT for Teens
At HillsidesCares, our dialectical behavior therapy program is a beacon of hope and transformation that offers young individuals a pathway to lasting change. By focusing on developing crucial life skills, our dialectical behavior therapy program equips adolescents with the tools they need to navigate the complexities of their formative years with resilience and self-confidence. To learn more, reach out to our team of experts today by calling 323.641.4842 or using our online contact form.