Dialectical Behavior Therapy, otherwise known as DBT sounds complicated, right? It’s really not. Simply defined, DBT is a type of therapy that takes a structured approach to teaching teens how to manage their big emotions and the challenges that they face every day.

It’s all about focusing on four things: mindfulness, acceptance, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. When we put it to use, DBT teaches teens to identify what these skills look like. Not only that, they learn how and when to use them.

One of the biggest benefits of DBT is that it is not a one-and-done approach. Practice makes perfect. Sessions may continue for weeks, months or, in some cases, years. When treatment ends, teens are encouraged to put their new skills to use. They start getting more joy out of life.

Core Skills Learned in DBT

We touched on the four main skills taught during DBT sessions, but what do they really mean? For example, many people confuse the concept of mindfulness with meditation. And some people might think that distress tolerance is simply learning to ignore things. And interpersonal effectiveness. Isn’t that just how we communicate with others? Not really.

Here’s what each of those skills really means and why learning how to own those skills can be so useful to your teen now and as the years go on.

• Mindfulness helps teens stay present and aware of their thoughts and feelings without judgment. It’s about more than meditation because it can be used anytime to slow things down and make clearer choices.
• Distress tolerance is all about helping teens handle tough moments without feeling like they need to just shut down or ignore their feelings. This gives them ways to manage stress safely, rather than reacting in ways they may regret.
• Emotion regulation helps teens understand what they are feeling and why. This helps them manage strong emotions rather than feeling overwhelmed or out of control.
• Interpersonal effectiveness shows teens how to communicate clearly, set boundaries, and respect others. It takes more than basic conversation to build stronger, healthier relationships.

How DBT Supports Teens in Everyday Life

DBT is a super-effective way to help teens manage the stressors and pressures of everyday life. Some studies have found that teens in DBT programs experience about a 50% drop in suicidal behaviors and hospital visits compared to those receiving standard care.

There is also a 37% decrease in self-harming behaviors and a 29% drop in substance use after one year of treatment. For teens with eating disorders, DBT has shown a 64% reduction in binge eating behaviors. Those are some big numbers, and they just go to show the significant impact this type of therapy can have on your teen.

But what does this look like in real life? Here are some of the changes you might see in your teeth.

• Ability to handle school stress better
• More control over their emotions with fewer emotional outbursts
• Stronger and more supportive relationships
• Healthier coping habits

Many teens participate in DBT as part of structured care, such as outpatient or partial hospitalization programs. These settings provide consistent support while teens continue living at home and practicing their new skills each day.

Can Your Child Benefit from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?

It’s important to understand that DBT is not about “fixing” your child, and it’s not the best fit for everyone. That said, here are some of the signs that DBT might be the right path for your teenager.

• Frequent emotional outbursts or meltdowns
• Difficulty calming down when upset
• Inability to keep or make friends
• Persistent conflicts with siblings, friends, and teachers
• Showing signs of depression or anxiety
• Struggling with self-esteem
• Seeming persistently stuck in unhelpful behavior patterns

If your child is showing one or more of the above behaviors, it’s worth checking into whether or not DBT can help.

Embrace U Offers DBT for Teens in Tennessee

If your child lives in Tennessee and is struggling with their emotions, we can help. To get started, all you need to do is complete our intake form. We will then review the information and partner with you to determine whether DBT or another approach to therapy will best benefit your child.