DBT Group Therapy

8-Week DBT Skills Group: Overview

 

Our 8-week Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) program is designed to support teens and their caregivers by teaching practical skills that improve emotional regulation, communication, and resilience.
DBT is an evidence-based approach that blends mindfulness, behavioral strategies, and acceptance practices to help individuals cope with strong emotions while maintaining healthy relationships.

In this group format, teens attend for the first 4 weeks, followed by parents/caregivers for the final 4 weeks. This structure allows teens to learn and practice skills first, and then offers parents/caregivers tools to reinforce those skills at home—creating a shared language and supportive environment.

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Program Pillars

 

DBT is built on four key skill areas, also known as the core pillars:

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Mindfulness – staying present, grounded, and aware of thoughts and emotions without judgment.

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Distress Tolerance – managing crisis moments and overwhelming emotions without making the situation worse.

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Emotion Regulation – understanding and navigating emotions so they feel more manageable day-to-day.

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Interpersonal Effectiveness – communicating needs clearly, building healthy boundaries, and maintaining relationships respectfully.

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Who This Group Supports

 

This group is helpful for teens experiencing:

• Emotional sensitivity or frequent overwhelm

• Difficulty coping with stress

• Challenges in relationships or communication

• Impulsivity or conflict in family and peer relationships

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And for caregivers who want tools to:

• Better understand emotional reactions

• Build their own emotional regulation

• Improve communication with their teen

• Support skill use at home

• Strengthen the parent-teen relationship

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