The Marriage & Family Institute
Teen DBT Group Therapy
DBT group therapy sessions in Columbus for teens ages 13-16.
Mondays 7:00-8:30 PM
Is your teen struggling to manage intense emotions, navigate relationships, or cope with life’s challenges?
Being a teenager can be overwhelming, especially when big emotions and relationship struggles make it difficult for your teen to feel in control. If your child has been recommended for DBT therapy, it means they may need a program that truly understands the challenges they face—and that’s where we come in at The Marriage & Family Institute.
Our 8-week DBT Group Therapy for teens is a supportive, skills-based program designed specifically for adolescents aged 13 to 16. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based approach that teaches your teen practical skills to help them thrive emotionally, socially, and academically.
Could a DBT group help your teen?
Answer a few quick questions to assess your teen’s readiness for DBT
DBT Group Therapy For Teens | Columbus, Ohio
What Makes DBT Group Therapy Unique?
Our program is led by compassionate therapists with extensive training in Trauma-Focused DBT, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and crisis intervention. They are experienced in helping teens navigate intense emotions, relationship difficulties, and the challenges of growing up.
Over the course of 8 weeks, your teen will:
- Gain a better understanding of their emotions and behaviors.
- Develop practical coping strategies they can use every day.
- Improve their mood, confidence, and ability to maintain healthy relationships.
If your teen is ready to build the skills they need to feel more in control of their emotions and relationships, our DBT Group Therapy can help. Let us support your teen in this journey.
Group Details
- Begins Monday, February 10th, 2025
- 7-8:30pm, 8 Sessions
- 6797 N High St #203, Worthington, OH 43085
- $50 per session
This group is designed for teens ages 13 to 16 experiencing depression, anxiety, mood swings, or difficulty managing their emotions. It’s also ideal for those who are struggling to navigate relationships or cope with life’s challenges.
DBT Group Therapy For Teens | Columbus, Ohio
Skills Your Teen Will Learn in DBT Group Therapy
Mindfulness
Mindfulness helps teens focus on the present moment rather than being overwhelmed by past regrets or future worries. It teaches them to slow down, recognize their emotions without judgment, and respond thoughtfully to challenges. By staying present and grounded, teens can reduce impulsivity, manage intense emotions, and build healthier ways of handling stress. These skills foster a sense of calm, clarity, and focus in their daily lives.
Emotional Regulation
Teens often experience intense emotions that can feel overwhelming or out of control. Emotional regulation helps them identify, understand, and manage these feelings in healthier ways. By learning to tolerate distress and approach challenges with confidence and stability, teens can avoid emotional outbursts, make better decisions, and handle difficult situations more effectively. This builds resilience and emotional balance for the long term.
Acceptance Skills
Acceptance skills teach teens that while not every situation can be changed, their response to it can. These skills empower them to validate their emotions, even the difficult ones, without feeling consumed by frustration, shame, or self-blame. With a combination of mindfulness and distress tolerance, teens learn to embrace what they can’t control and focus their energy on what they can—helping them move forward with greater confidence and self-compassion.
Asserting Needs
Teens often struggle to express what they need, whether it’s support, space, or understanding. Asserting needs teaches them to communicate their feelings and desires clearly, confidently, and respectfully. By incorporating interpersonal effectiveness skills like boundary-setting and active communication, teens can feel more heard, build stronger relationships, and develop a sense of self-worth. These tools encourage healthier interactions with peers, family, and authority figures.
Relationship Maintenance
Healthy relationships are essential for a teen's growth and well-being. Relationship maintenance skills help them nurture positive connections while navigating conflicts constructively. Teens learn to set boundaries, resolve disagreements, and recognize when a relationship is no longer healthy. By combining skills like emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness, they can form lasting, meaningful connections and build stronger, more supportive social networks.
DBT Group Therapy For Teens | Columbus, Ohio
Weekly Agenda For The DBT Group
Session 1: Introduction to DBT & Mindfulness
- Introduce DBT and group structure.
- Teach basic mindfulness skills: Observe, Describe, Participate.
- Homework: Practice mindfulness in daily life.
Session 2: Mindfulness & Emotion Regulation
- Review mindfulness homework.
- Introduce emotion regulation: Identifying Emotions and Opposite Action.
- Homework: Track emotions using a diary card.
Session 3: Emotion Regulation
- Teach additional emotion regulation skills: Checking the Facts and Opposite Action.
- Discuss the role of vulnerability factors in emotional intensity.
- Homework: Practice opposite action in real-life situations.
Session 4: Distress Tolerance (Crisis Survival Skills)
- Teach TIPP skills for managing extreme emotional distress.
- Homework: Apply TIPP skills when emotions are overwhelming.
Session 5: Distress Tolerance (Acceptance Skills)
- Introduce Radical Acceptance and Self-Soothe skills.
- Homework: Use self-soothing techniques when feeling stressed.
Session 6: Interpersonal Effectiveness (Asserting Needs)
- Teach DEAR MAN skills for effective communication and getting needs met.
- Homework: Practice DEAR MAN in a real or hypothetical scenario.
Session 7: Interpersonal Effectiveness (Relationship Maintenance)
- Teach GIVE and FAST skills for maintaining relationships while staying true to one’s values.
- Homework: Practice these skills in relationships.
Session 8: Review and Integration
- Review all skills learned throughout the course.
- Discuss successes, challenges, and how to continue practicing skills in everyday life.
- Encourage ongoing mindfulness and the use of DBT skills after the group ends.
Get started today!
Contact us to inquire about or register for the upcoming Teen Teen DBT Group Therapy Program.
DBT Group Therapy For Teens | Columbus, Ohio
Questions About DBT Group Therapy For Teens
What is DBT?
What is the structure of a DBT teen group?
DBT group therapy for teens typically includes three key components:
- Individual Assessment: A one-on-one evaluation to understand the teen’s specific needs and goals.
- Skills Group: A structured group setting where teens learn DBT skills such as mindfulness, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
- Skills Practice: Homework and exercises to practice the techniques learned in group therapy in real-life situations.
This structured approach provides a safe and supportive environment for teens to build emotional resilience and improve their relationships.
How long does the program take?
Do teens need a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) to participate in DBT?
Can DBT work for my teen even if nothing else has worked?
How does DBT compare to trauma-focused therapies like TF-CBT?
The Marriage & Family Institute
How To Get Started
If you’d like to register for the DBT group or have questions, please use the contact form to connect with us. You can also give us a call or email us directly.
*For fastest response, please use the contact form.
Locations
Online therapy sessions are available across Ohio.
