Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy made up of four primary focus areas: Mindfulness, Interpersonal Effectiveness, Emotion Regulation, and Distress Tolerance. DBT is useful for anyone struggling with emotions that feel out of control, difficulty making and maintaining relationships, anxiety, depression, impulse control, and anyone struggling with Borderline Personality Disorder. In this blog series I will explain each of the four focus areas in more detail, offer techniques to try at home, and help you determine if DBT therapy might be right for you or your adolescent child.

The teenage years are incredibly difficult and complicated. Teens are faced with more choices and more obstacles than ever before. This barrage can feel overwhelming and lead to a sense of depression, isolation, anxiety, and other complications. Combine this with the realities of changing biology and brain chemistry, and many teens find themselves struggling with impulse control, emotional outbursts, anxiety attacks, excessive stress, and more. 

If this sounds like your teen, the Adolescent DBT group, led by Dr. Jessica Pae, may be a good option. To find out more about this group please contact Dr. Pae at jpae@gracecounseling.net to set up an intake.

Jess Gerthe, M.A. was one of Grace Counseling’s interns and helped lead the DBT Group for teenagers.