Big emotions can be difficult to manage.

Children and teens may know that they are reacting more strongly than they want to, but still feel unsure how to slow down, communicate what they need, or cope when emotions become overwhelming.

Our DBT-Informed Skills Group provides a supportive, structured environment for children and teens experiencing high anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, intense emotions, or difficulty coping with distress. Participants learn practical skills for managing emotions, tolerating distress, navigating relationships, and responding to challenging situations more effectively.

Led by experienced and DBT-certified clinicians at The Center for Family Empowerment, the group combines evidence-based DBT-informed skills with opportunities to practice those skills alongside peers.

Important: This is an outpatient, skills-based therapy group and is not a crisis or emergency service. If your child is in immediate danger, has an active suicide plan or intent, or cannot be kept safe, seek emergency support rather than waiting for a group session.

Who Is the DBT-Informed Skills Group For?

This group may be a good fit for tweens and teens who are experiencing:

• High anxiety or overwhelming worry • Depression or persistent low mood • Self-harm or urges to self-harm
• Suicidal thoughts or suicidal ideation • Intense or overwhelming emotions • Difficulty managing anger or frustration
• Emotional outbursts• Impulsive reactions • Difficulty calming down once upset • Difficulty coping with disappointment or distress
• Conflict in friendships or family relationships • Difficulty communicating needs • Black-and-white or rigid thinking • Self-criticism
• Difficulty using coping strategies when emotions are intense

You May Notice Your Teen:

• Going from calm to extremely upset very quickly • Feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, sadness, anger, or other emotions
• Struggling to calm down once emotions become intense • Saying things like "I can't handle this," "I don't want to do this anymore," or "Everything is too much" • Withdrawing from friends, family, or activities they once enjoyed • Using self-harm as a way to cope with overwhelming emotions
• Having thoughts about death, dying, or not wanting to be here • Acting impulsively when emotions are high and regretting it later
• Having frequent conflicts with friends, siblings, or parents • Knowing coping strategies but struggling to use them in the moment

Does this sound familiar?

Your child may understand what they should do when they're calm but feel unable to access those skills when emotions take over.

You may be worried about your child's anxiety, depression, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts and unsure how to help them develop healthier ways to cope. They're not alone. DBT-informed skills can give children and teens practical tools for managing intense emotions, tolerating distress, navigating relationships, and responding to difficult situations more effectively.

What Teens Will Work On

DBT-informed skills focus on practical tools that young people can use in everyday life.

Depending on the needs and developmental level of the group, participants may learn and practice:

• Mindfulness (module 1) — noticing thoughts, feelings, and experiences without immediately reacting

• Emotion regulation (module 2) — understanding emotions and learning ways to manage them

• Distress tolerance (module 3) — getting through difficult moments without making them worse

• Interpersonal effectiveness (module 4) — communicating needs and navigating relationships

• Problem-solving • Coping with stress • Self-awareness • Flexible thinking • Healthy communication • Self-compassion

The goal isn't to eliminate difficult emotions. It's to help young people understand their emotions, tolerate difficult moments, and develop healthier ways to respond.

Why Group Therapy?

Skills are easier to learn when you have opportunities to practice them. The DBT-Informed Skills Group gives teens a chance to learn new strategies, talk through real-life situations, practice skills with peers, and receive guidance from an experienced clinician.

Participants can also discover that other young people experience intense emotions, frustration, and relationship challenges too. The group provides a supportive environment where children and teens can practice skills without judgment and build confidence using them outside of therapy.

What Parents Can Expect

Before joining the DBT-Informed Skills Group, we'll learn more about your child and determine whether the group is an appropriate fit based on their age, developmental level, current concerns, and goals.

Groups are clinician-led and combine teaching, discussion, therapeutic activities, and opportunities to practice skills. Depending on the group, parents may receive resources or recommendations for reinforcing skills at home.

Our goal is to help children and teens move from simply knowing coping skills to feeling more confident using them when they actually need them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age is the DBT-Informed Skills Group for?

DBT-Informed Skills group is currently run for ages 10-13, 14-16, and 17+.

Does my child need to have a specific diagnosis?

No. DBT-informed skills can be helpful for children and teens experiencing a variety of emotional and interpersonal challenges. We'll determine whether the group is appropriate based on your child's individual needs.

Is this a full DBT program?

This is a DBT-informed skills group, not a comprehensive DBT program. The group focuses specifically on teaching and practicing DBT-informed skills and may be used as a stand-alone service or alongside individual therapy when appropriate.

What if my teen is nervous about joining?

That's completely normal. Our clinicians create a supportive environment where participants can become comfortable and participate at their own pace.

Does my child need to be in individual therapy?

Not necessarily. Some children and teens may benefit from the skills group as a stand-alone service, while others may participate alongside individual therapy. This will be explore and recommendations will be made after the initial consultation.

How long does the group run?

DBT-Informed Skills Group runs indefinitely. Group members are welcome for as long as they feel it’s helpful.

Will parents know what my teen shares in group?

We respect the privacy of teens while also maintaining appropriate communication with parents. Before beginning, we'll explain how confidentiality and parent communication work and discuss any necessary safety exceptions.

Is Teen Girls Empowered covered by insurance?

The Center for Family Empowerment is an out-of-network practice. Depending on your insurance plan, you may have out-of-network benefits that provide reimbursement for therapy services.

Skills That Can Make a Difference Beyond the Group

Learning how to manage emotions isn't something that happens overnight.

With practice, children and teens can begin applying DBT-informed skills to everyday situations—from navigating friendship conflicts and managing frustration to coping with disappointment and communicating their needs.

The goal is to give young people tools they can continue using long after the group ends.

Schedule a Consultation

Your child doesn't have to figure out big emotions on their own.

The DBT-Informed Skills Group gives children and teens practical tools to understand their emotions, manage distress, navigate relationships, and respond to life's challenges with greater confidence.

Related Areas of Expertise

Depression, Self-Harm & Suicidal Thoughts
Intense emotional distress can sometimes contribute to depression, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts. Learn more about our Depression, Self-Harm & Suicidal Thoughts services.

Anxiety Therapy
Anxiety can make it difficult for children and teens to manage uncertainty, distress, and overwhelming emotions. Learn more about our Anxiety Therapy services.

DBT & Emotion Regulation
Individual therapy can provide additional support for children and teens who need more individualized work around emotional regulation, distress tolerance, or interpersonal challenges. Learn more about our DBT & Emotion Regulation services.

Parent Coaching
Parents can learn strategies for responding to intense emotions and reinforcing coping skills at home. Learn more about Parent Coaching.

Neurodiversity-Affirming Care
Some neurodivergent children and teens benefit from having emotional regulation skills adapted to their individual communication, sensory, and processing needs. Learn more about our Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy services.