Treatment in California
Teen Dialectical Behavior Therapy in Lost Angeles
Struggling with intense emotions or self-destructive behaviors doesn’t have to define your teen’s life. At Beachside Teen, our DBT program helps adolescents build emotional regulation, resilience, and healthier relationships—reach out today to learn how we can help.
At Beachside Teen Treatment Center, we understand that adolescence is a challenging time, especially when mental health disorders, trauma, or substance abuse come into play. That’s why we offer Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) for teens as part of our comprehensive treatment program. Located in Malibu, our facility provides a holistic approach to healing, focusing not only on the teen but also on the entire family system. We believe that family transformation is key to long-term success, and DBT is a powerful tool in helping teens navigate their emotional struggles and build healthier coping mechanisms.
If you’re a parent looking for ways to help your teen manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and reduce self-destructive behaviors, DBT could be the answer you’ve been searching for. Contact us today to learn more about our therapeutic program for teens.
Learn more about our teen treatment programs or call us now at 888-254-0916.
What is DBT for Teens?
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for teens is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) that focuses on helping individuals develop skills to manage extreme emotions and challenging behaviors. It is particularly effective for teens who struggle with emotional regulation, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, or impulsive behaviors. DBT was originally developed to treat individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), but it has since proven beneficial for teens dealing with a range of emotional and behavioral difficulties.
At its core, DBT teaches teens how to balance acceptance of their current reality with the need for change, hence the term “dialectical,” which refers to the reconciliation of opposites. Through a combination of individual therapy, group skills training, and family therapy, DBT helps teens learn how to navigate their emotions more effectively and form healthier, more balanced relationships with themselves and others.
How Does DBT for Teens Work?
DBT for teens involves a multifaceted approach that includes both individual therapy sessions and group therapy. Teens will work with a trained therapist to explore their emotions, behaviors, and relationships, and develop the tools necessary to respond in healthier ways.
The core of DBT is built on four primary skill sets:
- Mindfulness: Teaching teens to stay present and aware of their emotions without judgment, helping them detach from overwhelming feelings.
- Distress Tolerance: Equipping teens with strategies to handle emotional crises and painful feelings without resorting to harmful behaviors.
- Emotion Regulation: Helping teens recognize and label their emotions, allowing them to understand and manage their emotional responses in a more balanced way.
- Interpersonal Effectiveness: Teaching teens how to build healthy, respectful relationships with others by improving communication, assertiveness, and conflict resolution skills.
Teens engage in both individual therapy sessions and group settings, learning and practicing these skills in real-life scenarios, with the goal of improving emotional regulation, reducing conflict, and fostering self-empowerment.
The History of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
DBT was developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan in the late 1980s to treat individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), a condition characterized by intense emotional instability, difficulty with relationships, and impulsive behaviors. Dr. Linehan, who herself struggled with mental health issues, wanted to create a treatment that could help individuals who felt “stuck” in patterns of self-destructive behaviors. She combined aspects of CBT with mindfulness and acceptance-based strategies, creating an innovative therapeutic model that has since been adapted for various mental health disorders.
Over the years, DBT has proven to be effective in treating teens with a range of conditions, including depression, anxiety, substance use, self-harm, and eating disorders. Today, DBT is one of the leading treatments for teens struggling with emotional regulation and challenging behaviors.
How Can DBT Therapy Help My Teen?
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for teens can help in many ways. Here’s how DBT can support your teen’s emotional and behavioral growth:
- Improved Emotional Regulation: Teens will learn how to identify, understand, and manage their emotions, reducing outbursts and emotional chaos.
- Reduction in Self-Harm and Suicidal Thoughts: DBT helps teens develop coping strategies to replace harmful behaviors and reduce the risk of self-injury or suicidal ideation.
- Enhanced Relationship Skills: By improving communication and emotional expression, teens can develop healthier relationships with family, friends, and peers.
- Increased Self-Esteem: As teens learn to manage their emotions and behaviors more effectively, their sense of self-worth improves, helping them feel more in control of their lives.
- Better Stress Management: DBT teaches teens how to cope with difficult emotions and stressful situations in a way that doesn’t lead to impulsive or harmful behaviors.
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The Types of DBT Skills Used for Teenagers
DBT for teens incorporates a variety of specific skills designed to help adolescents improve their emotional and social functioning. Some of the key skills include:
- Mindful Breathing: Teaching teens to focus on their breath to center themselves in moments of stress or overwhelm.
- Radical Acceptance: Helping teens accept situations as they are without judgment, even when they are difficult or painful.
- Self-Soothe: Encouraging teens to engage in activities that calm their mind and body during emotional distress.
- Assertiveness Training: Teaching teens how to express their needs and feelings in a respectful and effective way without aggression or passivity.
- Emotion Labeling: Helping teens identify their emotions and understand how those emotions drive their behavior.
Benefits of DBT Therapy for Teens
The benefits of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for teens are far-reaching and can have a lasting impact on their overall well-being. Some of the key benefits include:
- Reduced Emotional Instability: Teens learn to manage their emotions and avoid impulsive reactions, leading to more balanced moods.
- Increased Coping Skills: With DBT, teens develop healthier ways to cope with stress, anxiety, and other difficult emotions, replacing harmful behaviors like self-harm or substance use.
- Better Family Dynamics: Family therapy sessions strengthen communication and understanding within the family unit, creating a more supportive home environment for the teen.
- Long-Term Emotional Resilience: The skills learned in DBT help teens develop a foundation of emotional resilience that will serve them well throughout their lives, improving their ability to navigate challenges.
- Improved Social and Academic Functioning: As teens develop stronger emotional regulation and interpersonal skills, they often experience better performance in school and more positive social interactions.
What is the Difference Between CBT and DBT?
While both Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) are effective treatments for teens, they differ in their approaches.
CBT focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors by teaching teens how to identify, challenge, and replace irrational thoughts. It’s highly structured and goal-oriented, helping teens build healthier thinking habits.
DBT, on the other hand, adds an emphasis on mindfulness, acceptance, and emotional regulation. It is particularly effective for teens with more severe emotional dysregulation or self-destructive behaviors. DBT blends strategies from CBT with additional techniques that help teens manage extreme emotions and build stronger interpersonal relationships.
Both therapies are highly effective, but DBT is often the preferred approach for teens dealing with intense emotional instability, self-harm, or interpersonal difficulties.
Learn More About DBT for Teens
If your teen is struggling with emotional regulation, impulsive behaviors, or difficulty in relationships, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy could be the solution. At Beachside Teen Treatment Center, we provide personalized, comprehensive care designed to help teens build the skills they need to thrive. Contact us today to learn more about our DBT programs and how we can help your teen lead a more balanced, fulfilling life.
Tja-Zsa Hower, LCSW
Primary Therapist
Last Updated on March 12, 2025
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Learn More About Teen Dialectical Behavior Treatment in California
At Beachside Teen Treatment Center, we understand how challenging it can be to see your teen struggling with mental or behavioral health issues. Our inpatient treatment program offers a serene, supportive environment where your teenager can begin their journey to healing and recovery.
Take the first step today. Contact us to learn more about our program or verify your insurance.
Together, we can help your teen build a brighter future.