Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is an empirically validated treatment for persons who engage in or experience self harming behaviors, suicidal ideation and gestures, and/or suffer from out-of-control emotions. This Adolescent DBT group targets males and females between the ages of 14 and 19 who engage in any self-harming, suicidal behaviors and/or experience emotional instability. Adolescents can be included in the group if they suffer from co-morbid Substance Abuse, Mood Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, or Eating Disorder and can be excluded from the group if they suffer from any Thought Disorder or have a diagnosis of Antisocial Personality Disorder. The group meets Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 5:45 to 8:45 pm and runs for 6 weeks. A parent or guardian is required to attend every Monday night skills group with their adolescent. This group is part of an Intensive Program and therefore requires a high level of commitment to treatment from both the adolescent and their parents. It is a fee-for-service program. The primary goals of the group are to decrease life threatening behaviors, increase effective emotional coping skills, and create a sense of behavioral and emotional control for the adolescent and their family. Over the course of group an adolescent learns life-coping skills in five main areas, which include Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, Interpersonal Effectiveness, and "Walking the Middle Path" Skills. These skills teach self-awareness and help an individual effectively cope in crisis moments, decrease emotional intensity, get more of what they want out of their relationships, and learn how to see the world in more "gray" terms as opposed to "black and white" type of thinking. 
​ An adolescent and their family, upon completion of the group, will hopefully feel a sense of understanding about their daily emotional experiences and gain a sense of mastery about how to cope with any emotion, behavioral challenge, or life experience without resorting to self harming or impulsive behaviors.  

Shira Wiesen, Ph.D.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) For Adolescents, College students, and Families