– What does DBT look like for teens?
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based, specialized form of cognitive behavioral therapy created by Dr. Marsha Linehan using a delicate balance of the dialectic that acceptance and change can both be true and coexist. It helps people who experience intense emotions find healthy ways to identify and manage their feelings, navigate difficulties, and improve relationships.
At Suffolk DBT, we help our teen clients learn to deal with big emotions, including frustration, disappointment, anger, anxiety, and hopelessness. We work to not only validate their current experiences but to support them (and you) where they need it now. We encourage and guide them through making positive changes to achieve their therapy goals and enjoy a balanced, fulfilling present and future.
In teen DBT treatment, you can expect that your teen’s treatment plan will include weekly individual sessions, weekly multi-family skills group training, and skills coaching between sessions (on the phone). With a high-quality DBT program like ours, you can also feel confident knowing that your teen’s therapist is actively participating in our DBT consultation team, reviewing the details of your family and tailoring their treatment according to the expert recommendations of others on staff. We take pride in the treatment we offer, and this is just one of the ways that working with Suffolk DBT is a powerful treatment experience.
– How do I know DBT is a good fit for my teen? / When should my teen consider therapy?
DBT is a good fit for teens who experience intense emotions they often struggle to control and express. Overexpression often looks like defiance, panic attacks, or other acting out behaviors, whereas underexpression may be noted in the anhedonic expression of depression (low mood, little interest), or turning to other means (food, relationships, self-injury, etc.) to self-regulate.
Licensed, trained therapists for teens at Suffolk DBT can help at a time when your teen may feel misunderstood and unsure as they navigate the world around them and experience the physical, mental, and emotional symptoms of depression, anxiety, ADHD, and other conditions, and even resort to self-destructive behaviors.
– Which mental health issues does DBT therapy for teens help manage?
Originally developed by Dr. Linehan to treat the chronic suicidality she observed in individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD), DBT has since been adapted to treat other mental health conditions, including:
- Major depression
- ADHD symptoms
- Bipolar disorders
- Anxiety disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Eating disorders
- Addictions to alcohol, drugs, gambling, sex, and more
– Do you offer online therapy? / Is online therapy for teens effective?
Yes, we offer online individual and group therapy sessions, whether you’re looking for therapy for teens in Manhattan or teen therapy on Long Island. Recent studies have demonstrated that online DBT is as effective as traditional DBT. Teens in DBT treatment receive gentle, expert guidance that helps them gain greater awareness of their emotions to learn to recognize, manage, and change reactive behaviors and have healthy control of their lives.
– How quickly can teen DBT therapy work for my child?
The recommended length of DBT counseling is six months to a year, but our therapists for teens know that every teen has unique needs and goes at their own pace when learning the dialectical behavioral skills necessary to attain their treatment goals and improve their behaviors and thought processes. Our DBT-A group is 24 weeks long and accepts applications on a rolling basis.
– Do you offer group therapy for teens?
Group therapy is a significant part of DBT therapy. It entails meeting in small groups for weekly skills training sessions. When facilitating the sessions, leaders start with introductions and follow with mindfulness and discussions of module lessons and “homework” assignments from previous meetings.
Our DBT-A skills group for teens is appropriate for those ages 13 to 18. In this 24-week intensive program, parents and teens are enrolled in a multi-family group and learn dialectical behavioral skills together to promote more harmony and effective communication in the home.
– What are the benefits of group therapy and individual therapy?
Individual and group therapy helps behaviorally challenged and emotionally sensitive teens and those with an addiction or mental condition gain insight into what triggers negative emotions and how they can strengthen their ability to tolerate distressing emotions and respond in effective, helpful ways. Empowered to feel more in control of their emotions, teens will ultimately experience increased peace and well-being. Our therapists for teens guide and support your young ones as they gain mastery over their thoughts, learn how to validate themselves while accepting life’s frustrations, build resilience, and create positive change.
– What happens during a DBT teen therapy session?
Our trained therapists teach teens how to keep a Diary Card to note their daily emotions and struggles. We go over their Diary Cards with them to discuss the events that affected them during the week and help them recognize any self-harm and suicidal behaviors and therapy-interfering behaviors like being late for sessions, not completing homework for group sessions, or not attending group sessions at all. We help teens develop the skills to manage their emotions amid challenges and ultimately replace negative emotional thoughts and behavioral patterns with healthier ones.
Group therapy sessions with a safe, supportive group of individuals who can relate to your teen’s experience entail a mindfulness practice, a review of module lessons from previous meetings, and an introduction of new skills to use the following week.
– How do I find the right therapist for my teenager?
A good place to start is with your primary care physician or other therapists you’ve seen in the past. They may be able to refer you to someone who specializes in DBT for emotional volatility, behavioral challenges, anxiety, and depression in teens, and specific needs like treating disordered eating or ADHD symptoms in teen girls.
Another resource is The Linehan Board of Certification, which provides a public database to identify licensed therapists for teens who are trained in and offer DBT. When seeking teen counseling in Manhattan, or your local area, choosing a therapist with specific DBT credentials is crucial, because there are fewer DBT therapists for teens, especially those that practice true DBT with the support that a full treatment team provides. DBT is a highly specialized form of treatment that requires extensive training, continuing education, and a team of other clinicians trained in DBT with whom to consult and collaborate.
All Suffolk DBT clinicians have been trained by Behavioral Tech, and embody DBT skills in their personal lives as well as in the professional arena.
– Is everything said in therapy confidential?
Privacy and confidentiality are of great importance to our therapists for teens here at Suffolk DBT who only use HIPAA-compliant platforms bound by local and federal laws. We provide clients with a safe, secure judgment-free space to receive treatment and heal without worrying about the details of their sessions becoming known to others. Likewise, we recommend that clients in online therapy choose safe, private, comfortable remote spaces to participate in sessions.
– Can DBT therapy help my suicidal teen?
Yes—one of DBT’s core components teaches individuals emotional regulation and management, which is helpful since suicide risk often increases during emotional crises. When individuals can identify, understand, and cope with their intense emotions, and understand the core motivation behind their suicidal thoughts and behaviors, they can reduce self-harm, suicide attempts, and other impulsive actions. DBT’s delicate balance of acceptance and change helps teens better reconcile their intense emotions and control their response to them, offering relief from suicidal thoughts.
At Suffolk DBT, our therapists for teens and adults receive specific training to help clients who exhibit suicidality. Our professionals can help you start having conversations with your teen(s) about suicide ideation and self-harm, and create a safety plan to follow in the event of a crisis or emergency.
– Will medication be a part of my teen’s treatment?
Implementing medication into treatment depends on many factors, including but not limited to your teen’s diagnosis. Over time during DBT therapy, clients can make an informed decision on whether or not to implement medication, but this is something that would be need to be managed outside of the DBT-A program.
– How much will therapy cost for my teen? / Do you accept insurance?
When you and your teen are ready to pursue teen therapy on Long Island, Manhattan, or online, reach out to us to schedule a free screening call and, from there, discuss the individual and group therapy that best suits your teen’s diagnosis and therapy costs.
DBT Treatment for Teens at Suffolk DBT
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers a structured and evidence-based approach to help teens navigate their emotions, improve their relationships, and develop healthier coping mechanisms. At Suffolk DBT, our dedicated team of therapists is committed to guiding your teen through this transformative journey.
If you’re ready to explore how DBT can benefit your teen, contact us today to schedule a free screening call. Let’s work together to create a brighter, more balanced future for your teen. Visit our website or call us now to learn more and take the first step toward healing and growth.
