Empowering Young People Through DBT-Informed Skills

Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Teens & Young Adults

Dialectical Behavior Therapy is a powerful therapeutic tool that equips young people with essential skills to navigate the complexities of their emotions and relationships. Through regular sessions, children, teens, and young adults can learn the coping skills needed to move forward with resilience.

What Is DBT?

DBT is a specialized form of psychotherapy that was originally developed by Marsha Linehan, PhD, to treat individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) who were experiencing suicidal thoughts. People with BPD often experience intense emotions accompanied by bursts of anger, crying, and passive-aggressive behaviors, which can cause chaos in their life and conflict in relationships.

While DBT was originally developed to treat BPD, research shows DBT techniques have proven to be beneficial for a wider range of mental health challenges, including trauma, depression, and anxiety.

DBT is particularly beneficial for children, teens, or young adults who may struggle with emotional regulation, impulsivity, and relationship issues, providing them with practical tools to navigate life’s challenges.

How Does DBT Work?

DBT sessions typically involve a combination of individual therapy and group skills training. It can be used in various therapeutic approaches, including:

Individual therapy: In one-on-one sessions, a trained Newport therapist works with the client to identify specific problems and set goals. The therapist helps the client apply DBT-Informed skills to real-life situations, focusing on personal challenges and progress.
Group skills training: Participants attend group sessions where they learn and practice DBT skills. These sessions are structured around the four key areas of DBT, allowing young people to share experiences and learn from one another in a supportive environment.
Consultation team: Newport therapists are part of a care team whose members communicate and collaborate regularly to ensure the best treatment for each client.

Learn More About Our Clinical Approach

Questions?

We know that reaching out can be difficult. Our compassionate team of experts is here to help. Call us at 866-926-7701 or complete the form below.

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What Mental Health Conditions Does DBT Help With?

DBT and DBT-Informed Skills are effective for a range of mental health conditions, particularly those characterized by emotional dysregulation. Some of the most common conditions treated with DBT include:

BPD

DBT was initially developed to treat borderline personality disorder, helping people manage emotions and improve relationships.

Depression

DBT can assist people struggling with depression by teaching skills to manage negative thoughts and emotions.

Anxiety Disorders

The mindfulness and distress tolerance skills in DBT can help individuals cope with anxiety and panic attacks.

PTSD

DBT can be beneficial for people with post-traumatic stress syndrome, providing tools to help them process emotions and reduce symptoms.

Substance Use Disorders

DBT can help clients develop healthier coping mechanisms and reduce reliance on substance use as self-medication.

Eating Disorders

The emotional regulation skills taught in DBT can support individuals in managing their relationship with food, exercise, and/or body image.

Results-Driven Care

See how young people receiving DBT and other evidence-based modalities experienced 50 percent reductions in depression and suicidal thoughts.

See Our Outcomes

DBT Core Skills

The term “dialectical” comes from the idea that bringing together two opposites in therapy—acceptance and change—will produce better results than either one does alone. One unique aspect of DBT is the focus on acceptance of a person’s experience as the first step in the process of changing negative behaviors.

DBT shares many concepts found with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. The main difference is that DBT focuses on accepting and validating emotions, while CBT aims to change negative thoughts and behaviors.

DBT teaches skills in four key areas:

Mindfulness:
Enhancing awareness of the present moment and fostering an understanding of one’s thoughts and feelings without judgment.
Distress Tolerance:
Developing strategies to tolerate and cope with distressing situations rather than resorting to harmful behaviors.
Emotional Regulation:
Learning to identify and manage intense emotions effectively.
Interpersonal Effectiveness:
Improving communication skills and the ability to maintain healthy relationships.

DBT-Informed Skills at Newport

At Newport, we help children ages 7–11, teens ages 12–18, and young adults ages 18–35 develop the tools to manage symptoms associated with anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health challenges. Each client’s individualized treatment plan includes DBT-Informed skills along with a wide range of other clinical and experiential modalities.

By focusing on acceptance and change, DBT-Informed skills empower young people to move on to the next stage of life with stronger relationships and a greater sense of self. If you or someone you know could benefit from DBT, reach out to us to learn more about our treatment program.

Frequently Asked Questions

DBT is a type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy designed to help individuals with emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance, and mindfulness. Originally created for treating borderline personality disorder, DBT has since been adapted for various mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders.

While both DBT and CBT focus on changing negative thought patterns, DBT places a greater emphasis on emotional and social aspects. DBT incorporates mindfulness practices and emphasizes the importance of balancing acceptance and change, which is encapsulated in the term “dialectical.” This approach helps clients accept their current situation while also working towards meaningful change.

DBT is particularly effective for individuals struggling with intense emotions, self-destructive behaviors, and relationship issues. It is commonly used for those with borderline personality disorders, but can also benefit individuals with mood disorders, PTSD, eating disorders, and substance use issues. Anyone looking to improve their emotional regulation and interpersonal skills may find DBT helpful.

A typical DBT program includes individual therapy sessions, skills training groups, and phone coaching. Skills training focuses on teaching clients specific techniques in four key areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. The structure is designed to provide comprehensive support, helping clients apply what they learn in real-life situations.