DBT Teen Program

Our 26 week DBT program helps teens and their families increase their ability to cope with emotions, be more effective with others and stop engaging in harmful behaviors. Includes weekly individual therapy, weekly family skills class and in-between session skills coaching as needed. Additionally, all of our DBT providers participate in weekly consultation team meetings to ensure they consistently deliver DBT with fidelity and excellence.

General Information

Our DBT Teen Program is designed for boys and girls ages 13–18 and their parents or caregivers. The program includes weekly individual therapy for teens alongside a multifamily skills class for both teens and their parents/caregivers.

Adolescent clients interested in joining the skills class must be in individual DBT therapy with a therapist in our network or a therapist that is currently attending a DBT consultation team and is willing to offer the in-between session skills coaching.  Also at least one parent/caregiver must attend the weekly multifamily skills class.

The goal of the skills class is to help teens and their families learn effective ways to regulate emotions, tolerate distress, build healthy relationships, and reduce reactive or impulsive behaviors.

Classes begin accepting new members at the start of each module, and the full series of modules runs for 26 weeks.

Program Schedule

  • Individual therapy sessions are scheduled once a week, tailored to fit both your availability and your provider’s schedule.

  • Multifamily Skills Classes meet twice a week for one hour each session. At least one parent or caregiver is required to attend alongside each teen.

    • Class Options:

      • Tuesday 4:30 to 5:30 pm Virtually AND Wednesday 4:30 to 5:30 In Person (Virtual option available by permission)

      • Wednesday 6:00 to 7:00 pm Virtually AND Thursday 6:00 to 7:00 pm In Person (No virtual option)

Costs

  • Individual Therapy

    • Covered by most insurances. Call your insurance to find out if one of our clinicians that works with teens is on you panel.

    • If not covered by insurance, we have self-pay options we can discuss with you.

  • Multifamily Skills Class

    • May be covered by some insurances at least partially if we have a provider in the class that is on your insurance panel. Please check with us and your insurance company about the details for your plan.

    • Self Pay Options:

      • Option 1: Pay for the Entire Class - $2600

      • Option 2: Pay Per module -

        • Walking the Middle Path (6 weeks): $720

        • Interpersonal Effectiveness (6 weeks): $720

        • Distress Tolerance (6 weeks): $720

        • Emotional Regulation (8 weeks): $960

  • In the Moment Skills Coaching

    • This is included in the cost of the program so you pay nothing extra for your teen to be able to receive coaching between sessions.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • DBT is especially effective for teens experiencing intense emotions, frequent mood swings, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, depression, impulsivity, or difficulty managing relationships.

  • The program teaches evidence-based DBT skills to help manage emotions, improve relationships, and reduce impulsive or self-destructive behaviors.

  • DBT for adolescents is most effective when caregivers are involved. Parents and caregivers learn the same skills alongside their teen, which helps reinforce skill use at home, improves family communication, and creates a shared language for emotional support.

  • Each skills class includes one teen and up to two parents or caregivers. It’s a highly educational and interactive experience focused on learning and practicing DBT skills together. The environment is supportive, structured, and designed to promote emotional growth, understanding, and skill application in real life.

  • Teens must be in individual DBT therapy with a therapist either in our network or with a therapist who actively attends a DBT consultation team and is committed to providing between-session skills coaching.

  • Skills classes meet twice a week for 1 hour each session. At least one parent or caregiver must attend every class alongside the teen. Consistent attendance is essential for getting the full benefit of the program.

  • Many insurance plans cover individual therapy and skills classes. However, some may only cover the teen's participation. If that’s the case, we can bill insurance for the teen, and offer discounted self-pay options for caregiver participation. Please contact our office for details.

I’m already in the class and need my practice assignments

Skills class practice assignments are found by clicking the button below