ADOLESCENT DBT SKILLS GROUP
Following the DBT curriculum for maintaining emotional equilibrium, this group is designed to help teens who become dysregulated in the face of intense emotion. The teens will learn to manage powerful feelings—anger, self-loathing, anxiety, etc.—without withdrawing, blowing up, or resorting to self-harm, substances, or other maladaptive behaviors. We combine the DBT skills training with a process orientation that lets group members practice forming healthy relationships and learning to negotiate. We want the group to be fun, and integrate creative arts, role playing, sand tray work, and other activities into our sessions as a way to help our teens master the skills as they cope with their big feelings. Group members must be in individual therapy either with the group leader or an outside therapist concurrently.
