If you have been looking for therapy for your teen, chances are you have come across different types of therapy such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or Mindfulness-Based Therapy. Another option, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), originally developed for adults with Borderline Personality Disorder, is becoming increasingly more popular in treating teens who struggle to manage their overwhelming emotions, and may have engaged in self-harm in an attempt to cope. The term “Dialectical” comes from the notion that everything exists on a continuum, including emotions, and rather than live in the extremes, we want to try to find the middle ground.
The aim of DBT is to teach adolescents how to understand and manage their emotions, and subsequently change how they react to them. They are taught 4 different sets of skills: Mindfulness, Emotion Regulation, Interpersonal Effectiveness and Distress Tolerance. Mindfulness emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment. Emotion Regulation teaches how to self–soothe. Interpersonal Effectiveness focuses on how to improve interactions with others. Lastly, Distress Tolerance teaches teens how to manage intense emotions and urges without making them worse.
DBT skills can be taught in an individual or group setting. At our practice, we run DBT groups for teen girls ages 14-17. Please consult our website or call the office at (905) 709-2343 to find out when the next group will be starting. In addition, Dr. Rachel Gropper and Elisa Goldstein, MSW, also provide DBT therapy in an individual setting.
Alter, Stuckler & Associates are a team of registered psychologists and a social worker that provide compassionate psychological care. We have provided service to individuals, couples and families from Thornhill, Markham, Vaughan and throughout the Greater Toronto Area for more than 30 years. Have a question for our team? Contact us today.
