Dialectical Behavior Therapy For Children & Teens
Parents can find themselves at a loss, wondering how to help their children manage intense emotions, impulsive behaviors, and interpersonal difficulties. This is where Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) comes in. DBT is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy that we use to help children and adolescents who are facing various emotional and behavioral challenges. DBT focuses on building skills in four key areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. These skills help children and adolescents manage their emotions and behaviors more effectively, leading to healthier relationships and improved overall well-being.
Parental involvement is crucial in the success of helping your child thrive. As a parent, your involvement is a required component of therapy. This collaborative approach helps create a supportive home environment where DBT principles can be reinforced and practiced daily. It’s important to understand that change takes time and effort and to be patient with both your child and yourself.
DBT for Children 6-13 years old in Los Angeles: In this approach, we work with parents for parent coaching prior to working with your child. The saying in DBT-C is that your child’s behaviors are irrelevant until the environment can support these changes. Therefore, we work closely with parents, either through our DBT-C Parenting Group or 1:1 with one of our clinicians, to ensure that you know how to support your child and help them move towards regulating their emotions effectively.
DBT for Adolescents 14-17 years old in Los Angeles: In DBT-A, adolescents engage in therapy through 1:1 sessions with their primary therapist, parents have their separate parent coach in 1:1 sessions, and the adolescent has access to phone coaching with their primary therapist. Parents are able to contact their parent coach throughout the week as challenges arise and over 12 weeks of parent coaching, you will be able to effectively communicate and help your child.
Book a free consultation and check out our resources for parents.
