Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Teens
One could argue that the teenage years are the most stressful and confusing time in a person’s life. Teens experience significant difficulty with emotional and behavioral issues that impact their daily lives and relationships. While there are a number of different options out there for teens to address their adolescent struggles through individual therapy, one option in particular is DBT for teens, or dialectical behavior therapy.
At Blume Behavioral Health in Redondo Beach, California, we offer a comprehensive DBT program to support teens and help them receive the necessary support to tackle the challenges that come with adolescence. Explore what DBT for teens is, its benefits, how it works, what it treats, and how it can help your teen better navigate their life.
What is DBT?
DBT is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) that is designed to help people in need manage difficult emotions and develop effective coping strategies. Dialectical behavioral therapy combines standard cognitive-behavioral techniques for emotion regulation and reality testing with concepts of distress tolerance, acceptance, and mindful awareness. DBT also incorporates mindfulness practice as a core component to help improve emotion regulation and introduce positive changes to an individual’s thought patterns.
DBT can also be used in conjunction with other forms of therapy as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
What is the History of DBT for Teens?
As we mentioned, DBT was originally developed as a treatment method for adults struggling with borderline personality disorder who experienced suicidal thoughts and actions.
While Dr. Marsha Linehan is credited with discovering DBT in the late 1980s, it wasn’t until the late 1990s that mental health professionals started utilizing the technique for other mental health conditions, including mental health struggles in teenagers and adolescents.
Mental health and treatment professionals quickly realized that with the unique challenges and issues that teens face, they needed to adapt the ways in which they applied DBT so that it could help address those unique struggles. This adolescent-specific adaptation is formally known as DBT-A (Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Adolescents). A pilot study provided early evidence supporting the feasibility and effectiveness of DBT-A for adolescents with significant emotional and behavioral challenges.
Over the years, DBT for teens has been empirically validated and has become widely used in teen mental health treatment.
DBT Treatment Approach: How DBT Works
Unlike DBT for adults, DBT for teens and adolescents puts a greater emphasis on family involvement when it comes to addressing teenage-specific issues such as peer pressure, identity formation, and academic stress.
Treatment is structured around several key components, such as:
- Individual Therapy: One-on-one sessions with a therapist or mental health professional are conducted in order to address personal issues, set goals, and apply DBT skills to specific situations.
- Group Skills Training: A teen undergoing DBT will also participate in group sessions focused on learning and applying DBT skills in a supportive environment with others who are going through similar struggles.
- Family Involvement: Family therapy sessions are also held with the goal of improving communication, resolving conflicts, and teaching family members how to support one another in applying the DBT skills they have learned.
- Phone Coaching: Phone coaching is available on an as-needed basis, giving teens real-time access to their therapist for support during moments of crisis or when impulsive behaviors arise.
- Consultation Team: Behind the scenes, DBT therapists participate in a weekly consultation team to problem-solve, share insights, and ensure that each adolescent receives coordinated, high-quality care.
- Additional Supports: Depending on the adolescent’s needs, the DBT program may also include family therapy, parent training, and medication management.
- DBT Skills Training: Through structured lessons, role-playing, and homework assignments, adolescents and their families learn practical strategies for managing emotions, tolerating distress, and building healthy relationships.
- A Flexible, Evidence-Based Approach: Rooted in the principles of dialectical behavior therapy DBT, the program balances acceptance and change, helping teens and families walk the middle path. The structure is adaptable, with regular assessments to monitor progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed.
This comprehensive approach ensures that teens receive the support they need in multiple areas, promoting long-term, positive emotional and behavioral changes in their everyday lives.
What Does DBT for Teens Help With?
DBT for teens can help address a wide range of both emotional and behavioral issues that are unique to teens and adolescents. It helps address high-risk behaviors by promoting problem-solving skills and emotion regulation skills. DBT can be used to treat:
- Eating disorders
- Emotion dysregulation
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Interpersonal conflicts
- Suicidal thoughts or actions
- Suicide attempts
- Bipolar disorder
- Substance abuse
- Anger issues
- ADD/ADHD
- Depression
- Self-harm
- Anxiety
DBT has also been adapted for children, featuring age-appropriate interventions, structured skill modules, and family involvement to address problem behaviors and provide effective support for younger populations.
What are the Four DBT Skills for Teens?
DBT skills are divided into four main modules. These 4 modules are:
Mindfulness Skills
Mindfulness teaches teens to focus on the present and become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and surroundings. By doing so, teens can reduce stress and gain better control over their emotions. This can help teens focus on the present moment and develop self-awareness.
Distress Tolerance Skills
Distress tolerance helps teens both cope with and manage a crisis without exacerbating the situation. This is done by accepting whatever is causing them distress, which, in turn, can eliminate feelings of anxiety, anger, and sadness. By learning how to cope with strong emotions, teens can adapt their behaviors in stressful situations.
Emotional Regulation Skills
Emotional regulation equips teens with the strategies needed to understand and manage their emotions in a healthier and more effective manner. It teaches them how to identify and label emotions, which can help reduce vulnerability when experiencing negative emotions while also increasing positive emotional experiences. Feeling more secure in identifying and managing their emotions can help adolescents build self-confidence.
Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills
Interpersonal effectiveness teaches teens how to communicate more effectively and maintain healthier relationships. This is achieved by focusing on aspects such as assertiveness, setting boundaries, and maintaining self-respect in interactions with others. Increasing interpersonal skills can help teens feel more confident and capable in their everyday lives.
What are DBT Skills for Teens and Families?
What makes dialectical behavior therapy for teens different is the role the teen’s family plays in the process. In fact, DBT for teens often includes family skills training to ensure that parents and siblings can support their teen’s progress. One important module in DBT for families is walking the middle path, which helps families balance validation and change by teaching skills for managing conflicting emotions and behaviors. Teens and parents learn how to listen to each other and communicate needs and boundaries actively. Multi-family skills training sessions typically last around two hours, providing ample time for skill development and practice.
Examples of skills that are taught to both the teen and their family during DBT include:
- Problem-solving: Developing strategies for addressing family issues collaboratively and effectively.
- Communication: Improving how families talk and listen to each other, reducing misunderstandings and conflicts.
- Validation: Teaching family members how to validate the teen’s feelings and experiences fosters a supportive and understanding environment.
- Behavioral principles: Understanding how reinforcement and consequences influence behavior, and learning how to apply these principles in positive ways.
DBT fo Teens FAQs?
Q: How long does DBT for teens typically last?
A: DBT programs for teens usually last around six months to a year, depending on the individual’s needs and progress. Some teens may benefit from ongoing support beyond the initial treatment period.
Q: Is DBT only for teens with severe issues?
A: Yes, parent involvement is a crucial component of DBT for teens. Family skills training and therapy sessions are designed to help parents support their teens’ progress and improve family dynamics.
Q: Can parents be involved in their teen's DBT treatment?
A: Yes, parent involvement is a crucial component of DBT for teens. Family skills training and therapy sessions are designed to help parents support their teen’s progress and improve family dynamics.
Blume Behavioral Health Can Assist with DBT for Teens
While there are many different types of treatment options out there for teens and adolescents who may be struggling mentally, one of the more effective ones is DBT for teens.
At Blume Behavioral Health in Redondo Beach, California, we understand the importance of mental stability during a teen’s and adolescent’s years. That’s why we offer a variety of treatment options for teens who may be struggling, including DBT and inpatient treatment.
For more information about our mental and behavioral health services, contact us today.
Dr. Aneta Lotakov Prince is a board-certified psychiatrist with over 20 years of clinical experience treating adolescents and adults facing severe mental illness, co-occurring substance use disorders, and complex emotional and behavioral health challenges. Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, she holds an active DEA registration and California medical license. Dr. Prince’s patient-centered approach is rooted in compassion and driven by a dedication to improving quality of life and supporting long-term recovery. She remains deeply committed to empowering each individual she works with to build a life of purpose, connection, and resilience.