DBT skills

Helping Your Teen Practice Radical Acceptance

Helping Your Teen Practice Radical Acceptance

As a parent, you’ve probably heard your teen say things like, “This isn’t fair!” or “Why does this always happen to me?” Moments of frustration and resistance are part of life, but when teens focus too much on what they can’t change, it can lead to more pain and hopelessness. That’s where Radical Acceptance comes in—a powerful DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) skill that teaches teens to stop fighting reality and focus on what they can control.

Helping Your Teen Cope With Difficult Emotions Using ACCEPTS

Helping Your Teen Cope With Difficult Emotions Using ACCEPTS

Life as a teenager can be overwhelming. Between academic stress, friendships, and figuring out their identity, teens often experience intense emotions that feel like too much to handle. This is where ACCEPTS comes in—a DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) skill designed to help manage those emotions by focusing on distraction and self-soothing strategies.

Teen DBT Self-Soothe Skills: Tools for Managing Big Emotions

Teen DBT Self-Soothe Skills: Tools for Managing Big Emotions

When teens feel overwhelmed or distressed, it’s common for emotions to take over. This can lead to explosive outbursts, self-sabotaging behaviors, or anxiety spirals. But it doesn’t have to be this way. While teens may not control every challenging situation they face, they can learn how to control their responses through DBT self-soothe techniques.

Why Building Your Own Distress Tolerance is Key to Supporting Your Teen

Why Building Your Own Distress Tolerance is Key to Supporting Your Teen

As a parent, when your teen has a history of self-harm or suicidal ideation, it’s natural to feel like you’re constantly walking on eggshells. Every decision—leaving them home alone, setting boundaries, or addressing difficult behaviors—can feel like a potential trigger, and that fear can be all-consuming. But here’s the truth: navigating these challenges isn’t just about what your teen does. It’s about how you respond.

How We Help Teens Build Healthy Relationships: A Guide to DBT Interpersonal Effectiveness

How We Help Teens Build Healthy Relationships: A Guide to DBT Interpersonal Effectiveness

Teens need healthy relationships to thrive emotionally and socially. But many things can get in the way—unhelpful beliefs, lack of communication skills, or even trouble setting boundaries. In our Interpersonal Effectiveness module, we give teens the tools to overcome these challenges and form positive, lasting connections.

Teaching Your Teen DBT “What” Skills for Emotional Regulation

Teaching Your Teen DBT “What” Skills for Emotional Regulation

Emotion regulation is a crucial life skill, and as a parent, you play a vital role in helping your teen develop it. One effective way to teach this skill is through DBT’s “What” skills—Observe, Describe, and Participate. These skills teach teens how to engage with their emotions and experiences mindfully, helping them stay grounded and make thoughtful choices even in difficult moments.