Child & Family Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Child & Family Dialectical Behavior Therapy

About Child & Family Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) helps people manage challenging emotions, reduce impulsiveness and gain greater control over their behavior. It is a therapeutic approach that is often helpful for people who experience a range of symptoms including suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, self-harm, substance use, PTSD, depression, anxiety and ongoing problems getting along with others.

Child & Family DBT Program Includes

  • Weekly individual therapy with an assigned DBT Therapist (1 hour)
  • Weekly skills groups with other people receiving DBT services (1 hour)
    • For adolescents, parent(s)/caregiver(s) may also have the opportunity to participate in these skills groups
  • Phone coaching with a DBT Therapist
    • For adolescents, phone coaching may include the parent(s)/caregiver(s)
  • Family therapy sessions
  • In some cases, people who are receiving some of these services through another provider can participate in other parts at WellPower (for example, individuals with an existing DBT therapist who do not have a skills group to attend may be able to join a WellPower group).
DBT 7

DBT Time Commitment

DBT is typically delivered in multi-week modules of approximately 7 to 8 weeks in length. It usually takes at least six months to complete all of the modules. If needed and recommended, it is possible to attend the program for up to 1 year.

Program participants will have weekly homework to practice skills at home and in the community. Participants will be expected to complete a diary card to track behaviors, urges and emotions each week with their DBT therapist. Consistent engagement is required to remain in the program and experience the benefits of DBT.

For adolescents, this program highly encourages parent(s)/caregiver(s) to be involved, including by attending a weekly multi-family group. This is to help the parent(s)/caregiver(s) to learn the skills themselves and to help reinforce the use of the skills at home and in the community.

DBT Groups and Eligibility 

We offer a number of different groups at WellPower, including:

  • Adolescent DBT Skills Group (link to calendar with dates and times)
    • For: Adolescents ages 12-17
  • Multi-Family Adolescent DBT Skills Group (link to calendar with dates and times)
    • For: Adolescents ages 12-17 and their parent(s)/caregivers(s)
  • Adult Spanish DBT Skills Group (link to calendar with dates and times)
    • For: Adults ages 18+ who speak Spanish
  • Adult English DBT Skills Group
    • For: adults enrolled in other treatment services at WellPower. If you are already enrolled in services at WellPower and are interested in learning more please speak with your treatment team. To learn more about services at WellPower please click here.
Therapy with Caregivers
DBT web (4)

DBT Schedule 

Adolescent DBT Skills Group

  • DBT Group: Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays - 5:00 -8:00 p.m.
  • Therapy: Tuesdays, Fridays - 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Multi-Family Adolescent DBT Skills Group

  • DBT Group: Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays - 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
  • Therapy: Tuesdays, Fridays - 1:00 - 2:000 p.m.

Contact
For more information or to refer yourself or someone to our program, please contact us at xxxx.xxxx@wellpower.org or (303) 300-4576.