DIALECTIAL BEHAVIOUR THERAPY (DBT)
DBT is a treatment for severe and persistent emotional and behavioural difficulties. DBT is a specific type of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) developed in the late 1980s by psychologist Marsha M. Linehan to treat borderline personality disorder.
Since its development, DBT has also been used for the treatment of many other kinds of mental health disorders. The traditional model of DBT uses a combination of individual therapy and skills training.
DBT SKILLS TRAINING FOR TEENS + PARENTS
For DBT skills training for teens, a parent or guardian attends all of the sessions in the program.
The group is run like a class where the group leader teaches the skills and assigns homework for clients to practice using the skills in their everyday lives.
The training involves attending an hour and a half session of training each week, for 10 weeks.
CONTENT
DBT Skills Training empowers teens and parents with skills they can apply in a variety of situations including:
Mindfulness tools
Healthy coping skills
Skills for coping with emotions safely
Social skills/relationship skills
Skills to deal with overwhelming or uncomfortable emotions
Calming Strategies
Skills to manage problem behaviours
Strategies to increase positive emotions and achieve balance
TEENS WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM DBT SKILLS TRAINING
DBT can be useful to youth presenting with multiple, serious problems that may include; suicidal behaviours, non-suicidal self injury, high risk sexual behaviours, disordered eating, illicit drug use, binge drinking and other harmful behaviours.
However to benefit from the program adolescents may have less severe problems including; light social drinking, first signs of non-suicidal and non-severe self harm behaviour, anger dyscontrol, school avoidance, impaired self-awareness of emotions, goals and values and frequent relationship breakups.
PARTICIPANT’S AGE
The program is suitable for adolescents aged 12 and to 18.
RESEARCH BASED
A huge body of research has been completed to ensure DBT is effective in adolescent groups when compared to control conditions and alternative treatment. Would you like to learn more? Click here to read the research.
CONTENT
The content of the program is a combination of the best ideas from The Emotion Regulation Skills System and DBT Skills Manual for Adolescents.