Navigate Adolescence with Confidence
The benefits of dbt for teenagers
Benefits of dbt for teens
Adolescence is a time of rapid change, marked by hormonal shifts, peer pressures, academic demands, and identity exploration. Many teens struggle with intense emotions, impulsivity, and relational conflicts, which can lead to issues like anxiety, depression, self-harm, or risky behaviours. DBT is particularly well-suited for teenagers because it provides concrete skills to address these challenges head-on.
Mindfulness & Emotional Regulation
One key benefit is Improved Emotional Regulation. Teens often experience emotions as overwhelming waves; DBT teaches them to “surf” these waves rather than being drowned by them.
For example, Mindfulness practices help teens pause before reacting impulsively on social media or in peer interactions, reducing regretful decisions.
Distress Tolerance Skills
Distress Tolerance Skills are essential for managing the stressors of school, family dynamics, and social media influences. Techniques like self-soothing can help a teen manage anxiety before a test or handle rejection from a friend group without spiralling into despair.
Interpersonal Effectiveness
Interpersonal Effectiveness empowers teens to communicate needs assertively, fostering healthier friendships and family relationships. In a world where bullying and exclusion are common, DBT helps build resilience and self-esteem.
DBT Step-upp for teens
At Glenbrook Practice, our DBT-STEP-UPP for Teens incorporates a Life Navigation Skills module, blending DBT with tools for decision-making, goal-setting, and future planning.
This 12-week programme, available in Cape Town, has helped countless teens build confidence and navigate adolescence with greater ease.
We’re also excited about our upcoming online STEP-UPP course, which uses AI as a learning tool to make skills accessible anytime.
Research supports DBT’s efficacy for adolescents. Studies, including those published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, show that DBT reduces suicidal ideation, self-harm, and hospitalisation rates among teens with emotional dysregulation.
Moreover, DBT promotes long-term growth by encouraging self-awareness and personal responsibility. Teens learn that while they can’t control every situation, they can control their responses, leading to a sense of empowerment and reduced feelings of helplessness.