Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills Group (Tweens/Young Teens)
If your teenager is going through a tough time, our DBT skills group might be just what they need.
Your teenager might be struggling with big feelings, doing impulsive things, having trouble with relationships, feeling bad about themselves, or feeling stuck in a rut.
This particular group is for our tween/young teen population. This would be for adolescents who are ages 12-15 years old and want to learn practical ways to handle their emotions, build better relationships, and live a more satisfying life.
The group is perfect for families who are ready to work on themselves, try new skills, and practice what they learn outside of group sessions. This group will take just as much effort outside of the group from the parents & caregivers as it would for the teens.
It doesn’t matter if they’ve never been to therapy before or if they’ve tried other treatments – we’re here to support them in a friendly and non-judgmental environment where they can learn and grow together with others who share similar experiences.
This group might be good for you if you have the following…
- Emotion regulation difficulties: Individuals struggling with overwhelming emotions, mood swings, or intense reactions to stressors may be seeking support and guidance on how to manage their emotions more effectively.
- Relationship challenges: People who have difficulty establishing and maintaining healthy relationships with others may be looking for strategies to improve their communication skills, build trust, and set boundaries.
- Impulsive behaviors: Individuals who engage in impulsive or risky behaviors, such as substance use, binge eating, self-harm, or reckless driving, may be seeking help to develop alternative coping mechanisms that do not lead to negative consequences.
- Negative self–image: People who struggle with low self-esteem, self-criticism, or self-doubt may be looking for ways to challenge their negative thoughts and beliefs and develop a more positive and accepting self-concept.
- Feeling stuck: Individuals who feel stuck in unhelpful patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving may be seeking a supportive environment where they can learn new skills and perspectives to help them make positive changes in their lives.
Some people have a hard time controlling their emotions, dealing with other people, or doing things that might be dangerous. They may feel bad about themselves or stuck in a rut. DBT skills can help. In this group, your teen can learn how to feel better by practicing new skills with other people who are also trying to improve. They can learn how to handle your feelings, communicate better, and make good choices. It’s a safe place where your teen can talk about your problems and get support. Joining the group can help them feel happier and more in control of their life.
We won’t lie, with teens, your family might have some push-back about coming to the group. Some may not want to come. That’s normal. We expect that with some teens. Some of your teens may ask, “Why should I do this if I’m already in individual therapy?” A thoughtful response you could provide is that building on the skills learned in individual therapy, and attending a DBT skills group can complement the work done in individual therapy sessions by reinforcing and building on the skills learned in individual therapy. This can help apply coping skills to different situations and feel more confident in their ability to manage their emotions. Additionally, they may gain exposure to new coping skills, by the DBT skills groups introducing your teen to new coping skills and strategies that may not be covered in individual therapy. This can provide a wider range of options for managing emotions and navigating difficult situations.
Another objection we hear from families are that their teen is saying “I don’t think I feel comfortable sharing all my personal info with a random group. I have too many problems my emotions are too big, nothing can help me.” Our response, that you could provide your adolescent is that group therapy can provide a unique opportunity for your teen to connect with peers who are going through similar experiences. This can help your teen feel less isolated and more understood, which can be a powerful motivator for change.
The group can provide opportunities to practice applying coping skills in a safe and supportive environment for your teen to practice applying coping skills they are learning in therapy. This can help your teen feel more comfortable using these skills in real-life situations, which can lead to greater success and confidence.
What to expect
Investment of Time.
Participating in a DBT skills group each week is an investment in yourself, your relationships, and your future.
When enrolling your teen to participate in the DBT Skills group, ask yourself the question, do we have the time to dedicate to this opportunity?
DBT skills group requires a willingness to put in the time and effort during group for your adolescent and in between group sessions to learn new skills and practice them consistently for both the caregiver AND the teen. Investment of time would be blocking out the weekly skills group in your calendar each week to transport your teen, as well as ensuring their schedule is clear for them to attend rescheduling or not double-book responsibilities. Additionally, it’s vital for caregivers to be intentional with practicing skills previous skills and new skills when needed and filling out homework assignments when given.
Caregiver involvement significantly impacts adolescent progress. We see caregivers as part of your teen’s treatment team and that involvement is highly recommended. Involvement can lead to greater success in managing emotions and behaviors. Involvement can look like:
- reinforcing skills your teen is working on in the group
- model for your teen, you or another adult in the home using skills they are working on in the group can lead to them mirroring your behaviors and creating a stronger bond between teen and caregiver
- practice skills to build confidence, thus your teen will more likely retain and use those skills in their daily life
Investment of Money.
Participating in a DBT skills group each week is $50/per session.
We do not bill insurance for our groups.
Groups are designed to be psychoeducational, skills development, and support. In general, skills groups are not covered by Medicaid or commercial insurance because they do not meet the criteria for “medical necessity.”
Teenagers are expensive. Car insurance, phones, clothes, extracurriculars…and now you’re saying to yourself, there’s an expectation to pay for group counseling? We understand there is a financial impact of treatment on any household and can put a strain on the family’s finances.
As you know, mental health conditions can have significant impacts on a person’s life, including their ability to work, form relationships, and engage in daily activities. Without proper treatment, mental health conditions can worsen over time and become more difficult and expensive to treat, for example, IOP or hospitalization.
While it may be difficult to make financial sacrifices in the short-term, the long-term benefits of treatment can be invaluable.
Complete form to start the conversation and explore the next steps!
Use the contact form to inquire about groups.
Weekly groups are $50/session.
Due to the influx of referrals, please be patient with us, as we will respond as quickly as we can. The messages are checked daily, if you do not get a response in 24 hours please resubmit.
We appreciate you reaching out to us, we look forward to working with you!