GROUP THERAPY · PROVO, UTAH
Adolescent DBT Skills Program
A 24-week skills group for teens ages 13 to 17, in four 6-week modules
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was developed by Marsha Linehan to help people manage intense emotions, get along better with others, and cut down on choices that feel hard to control. Our Adolescent DBT Skills Program is a weekly 90-minute group for teens, led by two adolescent therapists and built as four 6-week modules. It is a closed group, so the same teens work together from start to finish. Sessions are active and hands-on, with games, real-life scenarios and practice, because teens learn these skills by using them, not by hearing about them.
90 min
WEEKLY SESSIONS
24 weeks
FOUR 6-WEEK MODULES
$65
PER SESSION
2
THERAPISTS LEADING
Who This Teen DBT Group Is Designed to Help
This group is a good fit for teens whose emotions arrive fast and loud, or who shut down when things get hard. It often helps teens dealing with big mood swings, anxiety, depression, the aftermath of hard experiences, self-harm urges, impulsive or risky choices, and constant conflict with family or friends. DBT is practical. Many teens like having clear tools they can use in the moment instead of only talking about how they feel.
Emotional dysregulation
Big mood swings
Depression & chronic distress
Anxiety & trauma symptoms
School and friend stress
Risky or impulsive choices
Impulsivity
Self-harm urges
Family conflict
What Makes This DBT Group Intensive
This is not a drop-in support group. It is a structured therapy program that requires weekly participation and ongoing practice. Each session is intentionally designed to help participants not only learn skills, but also apply them to real-life challenges as they arise.
What each session includes
Skills teaching and guided practice
Structured processing focused on skill use, not open discussion
Review of diary cards and weekly homework
Supportive accountability in a consistent group
Coaching around real-world situations
Weekly homework reviewed at every session
Homework is assigned each week and reviewed during every session to help skills become part of daily life.
Core DBT Skills Taught in This Group
01
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the foundation of DBT. These skills help participants notice thoughts, emotions, and body sensations without immediately reacting to them. Mindfulness supports staying present, slowing impulsive responses, and accessing Wise Mind during stressful moments.
02
Emotion Regulation
Emotion Regulation skills help participants understand emotions, name what they are feeling, reduce vulnerability to emotional extremes, and learn how to change emotions when appropriate. The emphasis is on working with emotions rather than suppressing them or feeling controlled by them.
03
Distress Tolerance
Distress Tolerance skills are used during crisis moments and intense emotional surges. These skills help participants survive difficult situations without making things worse and learn how to tolerate discomfort safely until emotions settle.
04
Interpersonal Effectiveness
Interpersonal Effectiveness skills support clearer communication, healthier boundaries, asking for needs, saying no, and maintaining self-respect. These skills are especially helpful for reducing conflict, people-pleasing, resentment, and withdrawal in relationships.
05
Walking the Middle Path
Walking the Middle Path is the part of teen DBT built for families. Teens and parents learn validation, how to see more than one side of a problem, and simple ways to change patterns at home without power struggles.
Diary Cards and Weekly Practice
Diary cards are a core part of DBT and are used throughout the program. They help participants track emotions, urges, and behaviors, notice patterns over time, identify which skills were used, and strengthen accountability without shame. Diary cards also guide which skills are reviewed during sessions. Homework and diary cards are reviewed weekly in a supportive, collaborative, and non-judgmental way.
Window of Tolerance and Somatic Coping
Many people struggle not because they lack skills, but because their nervous system becomes overwhelmed. This group integrates the concept of the window of tolerance to help participants recognize when they are becoming over-activated or shut down, and how to return to a more regulated state before attempting problem-solving. Somatic and nervous-system-based coping strategies may include grounding and orienting techniques, breath- and body-based regulation tools, recognizing early signs of escalation or shutdown, and learning how to return to a sense of safety. These tools help DBT skills work more effectively, especially for individuals who feel flooded or disconnected under stress.
Structure of the 24-Week Program
01
Orientation, group agreements and Wise Mind
02
Module 1: Mindfulness skills
03
Module 1: Distress tolerance and crisis survival
04
Module 2: Understanding and naming emotions
05
Module 2: Emotion regulation in real life
06
Module 3: Interpersonal effectiveness
07
Module 4: Walking the Middle Path
08
Putting it all together and graduation
Four 6-week modules. Families commit one module at a time, and we recommend all four.
Group Expectations and Fit
What we ask of every member
Keep everything shared in the group confidential
Communicate respectfully with each other
Arrive on time and stay for the full session
Limit cross-talk unless invited
Practice skills between sessions
Commit to one full 6-week module at a time
Is this group a good fit?
This group is a strong fit for teens who can join a structured group, are willing to practice skills between sessions, and want real tools for moments when emotions take over. A parent or guardian helps by supporting practice at home.
The focus stays on learning, growth and change rather than blame. If someone is in an active crisis, additional support options are discussed as needed.
Cost, Participation, and Policies
SESSION FEE
$65
per person, per 90-minute session
PER MODULE
$390
for each 6-week module (six sessions)
MATERIALS
$75 one-time program and materials fee
Covers the teen workbook, binder, diary cards and handouts for all four modules.
PROGRAM COMMITMENT
Families commit one 6-week module at a time. We recommend the full 24 weeks, since each module builds on the last.
What the fee covers
Comprehensive DBT curriculum taught by two experienced therapists
Workbook, binder and all skills materials (one-time $75 program and materials fee)
Weekly worksheets, diary cards, and handouts
Group-based experiential and somatic exercises
Safe, confidential, therapist-led environment
Regular attendance supports consistency, skill-building, and group cohesion. Because our sessions rely on committed group participation. If you need to miss a session, please give at least 24 hours’ notice. Sessions missed without 24 hours’ notice, or not attended after committing, are charged the full session fee. This protects everyone’s time and the therapeutic integrity of the group.
Because the group unfolds as a cohesive, structured 6-week module with materials provided and session time committed, we do not offer refunds for sessions already attended. If you choose not to continue, that is respected. We encourage open communication around any needed breaks or adjustments.
DBT is a skills-based therapy that requires consistent attendance, structured content, and therapeutic guidance. The rate covers more than just the time; it includes the cost of materials, printing, therapeutic oversight, safe space, and the unique value of two therapists facilitating. We aim to offer high-quality, evidence-based group therapy that remains accessible, and we believe transparency helps clients feel confident and respected.