Adolescent Programs
Standard DBT for Adolescents (DBT-A)
In-person only
Dr. Alec Miller and Dr. Jill Rathus developed an adaptation of DBT to treat emotional instability in adolescents. This emotional instability is often related to an undercontrolled (UC) personality style, which can include externalized emotional dysregulation, a lack of inhibition often leading to impulsive or risk-taking behaviors, and chaotic interpersonal relationships.
Our DBT-A program requires participation from both teens and parents. Particularly, the entire family participates in learning DBT skills together, in the form of a weekly multi-family skills class. Adolescents participate on their own in individual therapy sessions, and parents have the option to meet with a separate provider in the collective to establish behavioral strategies (as needed).
Adolescents must be willing to participate in the treatment in order to be considered for our DBT-A program. On occasion, we may recommend the DBT-A program for young adult clients who are dependent on or living with parents/guardians.
Radically Open DBT for Adolescents
(RO-DBT-A)
In-person only
Researchers are currently in the process of developing an adaptation of Radically Open DBT (RO-DBT) for adolescents. While this treatment modality is not yet published, therapists at Greenville DBT Collective have created a modified program to work with adolescents who identify as overcontrolled.
Teens who exhibit maladaptive overcontrol (OC) may have problems related to social isolation and emotional loneliness, inflexibility, rigidity, and difficulties creating closeness in relationships.
Our RO-DBT program for adolescents requires participation from both adolescents and their parents. Particularly, adolescents participate in weekly individual and group therapy, while parents participate in a separate parent skills training group. Adolescents must be willing to participate in the treatment in order to be considered for our RO-DBT-A program.