What is DBT?

Learn About DBT Skills in School

Many teens experience overwhelming emotions as they navigate puberty, explore social relationships, and strive for success in academic environments. While some teens easily navigate these emotions, others require a little more support to figure out how to regulate themselves throughout the day.

DBT is one way that teens can learn more about emotional regulation and learn coping skills that help them in school, relationships, and life. Learn what DBT is and how DBT groups work for teens here.

What Is DBT?

DBT, also known as Dialectical Behavior Therapy, focuses on managing intense emotions and situations. Therapists provide clients with mindfulness training to help them create a nonjudgmental inner space filled with compassion and acceptance for themselves and others.

In DBT, teens learn that two conflicting ideas can be true at the same time. For example, their emotions are valid, but they should still work on improving their reactions to negative situations. With practice, teens can make space for both and walk a middle path that prioritizes self-improvement without negative self-talk.

Essential DBT Skills

DBT groups for teens focus on three essential skills, including:

• Distress Tolerance: Managing intense, distressing emotions in the moment
• Interpersonal Effectiveness: Improving communication with others
• Emotion Regulation: Recognizing, accepting, and diffusing intense emotions

DBT strategies include distraction, exposure, radical acceptance, and reframing to help teens during and after an emotional moment.

DBT in School

Schools have recognized that teens require social and emotional learning programs to navigate the modern world. In an effort to provide them with the support they need, many academic institutions incorporate CBT and DBT methods into their curriculum.

When it comes to DBT skills in school, administrators and counselors receive training on how to validate emotions while encouraging teens to improve their reactions to challenges.

DBT at Ascend

At Ascend, we use DBT in one-on-one sessions, as well as group settings, to encourage self-reflection instead of recrimination. Our therapists in residential treatment, outpatient care, and virtual settings are trained in a variety of therapy modalities and combine DBT, CBT, and more to customize a treatment plan that supports the individual needs of our clients and their families.

While progress comes at its own pace, Ascend has seen the results DBT can produce when teens and their families are committed to developing healthier relationships.

Finding Help

Now that you know what DBT is, it’s time to consider how to incorporate it into your life. Do you need a few sessions with a therapist to delve into DBT strategies? Maybe you require a more intensive reset in residential treatment.

If you need any help navigating your mental health struggles, Ascend is here to help with compassionate guidance and support. Reach out to our team to discuss your specific situation.