We all hit moments that feel like too much. For teens, those moments often come fast and loud—sudden overwhelm, big emotions, and the urge to do something to get relief. Sometimes that “something” makes things worse: snapping at a friend, shutting down completely, picking a fight, or engaging in self-harm.
Coping skills aren’t magic, and they don’t erase the feelings. But they do give teens the power to stay in control, even when their emotions are anything but.
At Coping Skills Summer Camp, that’s what we practice together.
What Crisis Coping Skills Are (and Aren’t)
These skills are short-term tools for moments of high stress.
They’re not about processing trauma or fixing your life. They’re about getting through emotional spikes without falling into a spiral of regret, conflict, or self-destruction.
They help teens ride the wave of distress without making it worse.
When practiced regularly, these skills become automatic—and that’s the goal. You don’t want to be thinking through a worksheet in the middle of a meltdown. You want the skill to be ready.
Key Coping Skills We Practice at Camp
1. Grounding Through the Senses
The nervous system needs physical cues that things are safe. We use cold water, textured objects, strong scents, and calming music to help teens anchor in the present moment. These tools are available every day during camp, so teens learn how to use them naturally.
2. Distraction That Actually Helps
We guide teens through structured distractions—creative projects, team games, movement breaks, and mindfulness challenges. These activities aren’t meant to avoid emotion but to give the brain space to reset.
3. Soothing, Not Shutting Down
Teens learn how to notice their body’s signals and respond with care. From choosing their own sensory regulation tools to practicing calming rituals, they build a sense of control over their reactions.
4. Making the Moment More Bearable
Sometimes you can’t fix what’s hard, but you can take one step to make it a little easier. We explore strategies like visualization, affirmations, and small acts of joy that give teens something to hold onto when everything feels too much.
The ACCEPTS Skill: A Favorite at Camp
One of the most loved DBT tools we teach is the ACCEPTS acronym. Each letter offers a different kind of lifeline in a moment of distress:
Activities: Get your body and brain engaged in something healthy.
Contributing: Help someone else, even in a small way.
Comparisons: Remember other hard things you’ve handled.
Emotions: Shift your emotional state by watching or listening to something uplifting.
Pushing Away: Put the stress aside for a moment so you can breathe.
Thoughts: Focus on something neutral, like a puzzle or a fact-based show.
Sensations: Use temperature, movement, or texture to bring yourself back.
The more teens practice these, the more options they have when their emotions take over.
Not Every Teen Needs the Same Tool
Crisis coping isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Some teens need movement. Others need silence. Some feel better holding an ice cube. Others feel calmer listening to their favorite playlist. What matters is that teens build a personalized toolbox that works for them.
We help them try different options, reflect on what helps, and make those tools their own.
Why Coping Skills Matter
When teens don’t have the tools to manage distress, it often shows up as avoidance, outbursts, or self-harm. These aren’t attention-seeking behaviors. They’re regulation-seeking behaviors.
Coping skills offer a different way forward.
At camp, teens don’t just learn what the skills are. They get to practice them—with support, with community, and with room to figure out what really works.
If you’re looking for a space where your teen can feel seen, supported, and empowered to manage life’s hard moments, this is it.
Coping Skills Camp is open for summer registration now.
Spots are limited and we keep group sizes small on purpose.
Come spend the week with us learning how to stay steady, even when emotions aren’t.