Adolescent Dialectical Behavior Therapy Program

Adolescent dialectical behavior therapy (DBT-A) is a type of evidence-based therapy designed to treat teens who have difficulty regulating their emotions and behaviors.

Through our DBT-A program, adolescents who have complex anxiety or mood disorders learn to manage the following:

• suicidal thoughts and behaviors
• self-injurious behaviors
• emotions
• impulsivity
• intense conflict with peers, adults, and other family member

Our mental health experts help adolescents and their families change potentially life-threatening behaviors and improve emotion regulation through three types of intervention.

Individual Therapy

Teen works with their therapist once or twice per week, typically for 60 minutes per session, to identify factors contributing to difficulties regulating emotions. They learn skills to maintain safety and reduce the severity of anxiety and mood symptoms. The therapist also teaches effective coping and problem-solving skills to help the teen stay motivated to work toward their long-term goals.

Phone Coaching

Teens participating in the program have direct access to phone coaching, a 24-hour service to help them regulate their emotions and apply skills in real time.

Multi-Family Skills Group

Multiple teens and their caregivers learn five modules of skills together: mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and walking the middle path, a module specifically dedicated to improving family relationships and communication. Teens attend the group with their caregivers/parents for at least 24 weeks. Each session lasts two hours.

For more information about the adolescent DBT program, contact Csc.care@NYULangone.org.