Teen Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a popular mental health treatment approach that uses practices like mindfulness to help teens regulate their emotions. Emotional dysregulation causes teens to feel emotions more intensely and frequently. If left unmanaged, emotional dysregulation can impair your teen’s life. If your teen is struggling with managing their feelings, DBT may be the best treatment option for them.
DBT is popular because it is an evidence-based treatment, meaning its effectiveness is supported by scientific evidence. In this article, we will explore the efficacy of dialectical behavior therapy. If you are considering DBT treatment for your teen, contact NexStep Teen Academy today. We will guide you through our services and intake process.
Efficacy of DBT on Teen Mental Health
Teen DBT is an evidence-based treatment approach. What makes it very effective is that it relies on several principles. First, it is based on the idea that combining two opposite ideas achieves better mental health outcomes. DBT not only teaches teens how to change, but also emphasizes the need to accept and acknowledge their behavior. When we recognize our behavior, we allow ourselves to feel uncomfortable emotions without reacting to them, reducing our emotional responses to negative feelings. Combining acceptance and change is more effective than teaching these concepts separately.
Secondly, teen DBT is important because it teaches mindfulness, allowing teens to become more aware of their emotions and environment. They can also slow down their thoughts and process their emotions better.
Similarly, mindfulness teaches teens to be present in the moment, helping them forget the past and not worry about the future. They can focus on their senses rather than letting their emotions control them. These principles of DBT make it very effective in treating BPD, depression, and anxiety.
Research on The Effectiveness of DBT
The following are studies showing the efficacy of teen DBT for various mental health conditions:
DBT for Borderline Personality Disorder
In 2024, a review was published investigating the efficacy of DBT treatment for patients with BPD. The study reviewed over 18 randomized controlled trials with over 1,755 participants. All the participants in the 18 studies reviewed had been diagnosed with BPD.
The 2024 review concluded that DBT is an effective way of treating borderline personality disorder. Patients enrolled in a DBT program were far less likely to end up hospitalized because of BPD-related issues. Additionally, patients reported fewer cases of self-harm and suicidal thoughts. This study highlighted the efficacy of DBT for BPD treatment.
DBT for Depression
A study published in 2020 concluded that DBT is an effective way of reducing depressive symptoms in teens. According to the study, teens receiving DBT treatment showed lower scores on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. They also had lower scores in the Clinical Global Impressions-Severity for Symptoms (CGI-S) test. Their scores were compared to teens who received treatment as usual rather than specialized DBT. The lower scores indicate that DBT is an effective way of treating depression in teens.
DBT for Anxiety
A 2022 study concluded that DBT is an effective way of improving symptoms of anxiety in teens. The study found that DBT increased the executive function of teens with depression.
Teen DBT vs. Other Therapeutic Approaches
Teen DBT and teen cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are similar in several ways. In fact, DBT was derived from CBT approaches. These cognitive therapies focus on how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected. They help identify and modify thoughts to improve a teen’s emotions and actions.
DBT differs from CBT because it focuses on helping teens with emotional dysregulation. CBT is based on the idea that thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are interconnected. When teens learn to change their unhelpful thoughts, their behavior improves.
On the other hand, DBT focuses on helping teens come to terms with the fact that two opposing ideas can exist together. It helps them accept that their behavior is unhelpful and work towards changing it.
Denial can be a hindrance to treatment. Many teens do not think their behavior is destructive. They may dismiss it as part of growing up. However, DBT helps them recognize and change their self-destructive behavior.
While both CBT and DBT are effective in treating mental health conditions, DBT is suitable for treating conditions that cause emotional dysregulation. These include depression, anxiety, and BPD.
Teen DBT at NexStep Teen Academy
DBT is essential in NexStep Teen Academy’s comprehensive treatment approach. At NexStep Teen Academy, we conduct a thorough assessment to create a tailored treatment plan for your teen. We ensure the treatment path chosen is the best option to cater to your teen’s unique needs.
We pride ourselves on ensuring comprehensive mental health treatment for teens aged 12-17. Our facility is staffed by highly qualified mental health practitioners with experience working with teens. In addition to this, our facility is located in a tranquil environment where your teen can focus on treatment.
If your teen has a mental health condition that causes them to experience overwhelming emotions, DBT is the best treatment for them. Contact NexStep Teen Academy today to get your teen the help they need. Visit our website or contact us for more information.
Typically, DBT treatment lasts for about four months. The results of mental health treatment are dependent on your teen’s progress and the severity of their condition. Treatment can last for a few months or take up to a year.
DBT can be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety. DBT focuses on teaching teens coping mechanisms that can be useful in addressing anxiety and ADHD symptoms.
Family therapy can use DBT techniques to improve family dynamics and interactions. Parents are encouraged to participate in their teen’s mental health treatment to learn how to support them effectively.
How Effective is Teen DBT?
Table of Contents
Teen Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a popular mental health treatment approach that uses practices like mindfulness to help teens regulate their emotions. Emotional dysregulation causes teens to feel emotions more intensely and frequently. If left unmanaged, emotional dysregulation can impair your teen’s life. If your teen is struggling with managing their feelings, DBT may be the best treatment option for them.
DBT is popular because it is an evidence-based treatment, meaning its effectiveness is supported by scientific evidence. In this article, we will explore the efficacy of dialectical behavior therapy. If you are considering DBT treatment for your teen, contact NexStep Teen Academy today. We will guide you through our services and intake process.
Efficacy of DBT on Teen Mental Health
Teen DBT is an evidence-based treatment approach. What makes it very effective is that it relies on several principles. First, it is based on the idea that combining two opposite ideas achieves better mental health outcomes. DBT not only teaches teens how to change, but also emphasizes the need to accept and acknowledge their behavior. When we recognize our behavior, we allow ourselves to feel uncomfortable emotions without reacting to them, reducing our emotional responses to negative feelings. Combining acceptance and change is more effective than teaching these concepts separately.
Secondly, teen DBT is important because it teaches mindfulness, allowing teens to become more aware of their emotions and environment. They can also slow down their thoughts and process their emotions better.
Similarly, mindfulness teaches teens to be present in the moment, helping them forget the past and not worry about the future. They can focus on their senses rather than letting their emotions control them. These principles of DBT make it very effective in treating BPD, depression, and anxiety.
Research on The Effectiveness of DBT
The following are studies showing the efficacy of teen DBT for various mental health conditions:
DBT for Borderline Personality Disorder
In 2024, a review was published investigating the efficacy of DBT treatment for patients with BPD. The study reviewed over 18 randomized controlled trials with over 1,755 participants. All the participants in the 18 studies reviewed had been diagnosed with BPD.
The 2024 review concluded that DBT is an effective way of treating borderline personality disorder. Patients enrolled in a DBT program were far less likely to end up hospitalized because of BPD-related issues. Additionally, patients reported fewer cases of self-harm and suicidal thoughts. This study highlighted the efficacy of DBT for BPD treatment.
DBT for Depression
A study published in 2020 concluded that DBT is an effective way of reducing depressive symptoms in teens. According to the study, teens receiving DBT treatment showed lower scores on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. They also had lower scores in the Clinical Global Impressions-Severity for Symptoms (CGI-S) test. Their scores were compared to teens who received treatment as usual rather than specialized DBT. The lower scores indicate that DBT is an effective way of treating depression in teens.
DBT for Anxiety
A 2022 study concluded that DBT is an effective way of improving symptoms of anxiety in teens. The study found that DBT increased the executive function of teens with depression.
Teen DBT vs. Other Therapeutic Approaches
Teen DBT and teen cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are similar in several ways. In fact, DBT was derived from CBT approaches. These cognitive therapies focus on how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected. They help identify and modify thoughts to improve a teen’s emotions and actions.
DBT differs from CBT because it focuses on helping teens with emotional dysregulation. CBT is based on the idea that thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are interconnected. When teens learn to change their unhelpful thoughts, their behavior improves.
On the other hand, DBT focuses on helping teens come to terms with the fact that two opposing ideas can exist together. It helps them accept that their behavior is unhelpful and work towards changing it.
Denial can be a hindrance to treatment. Many teens do not think their behavior is destructive. They may dismiss it as part of growing up. However, DBT helps them recognize and change their self-destructive behavior.
While both CBT and DBT are effective in treating mental health conditions, DBT is suitable for treating conditions that cause emotional dysregulation. These include depression, anxiety, and BPD.
Teen DBT at NexStep Teen Academy
DBT is essential in NexStep Teen Academy’s comprehensive treatment approach. At NexStep Teen Academy, we conduct a thorough assessment to create a tailored treatment plan for your teen. We ensure the treatment path chosen is the best option to cater to your teen’s unique needs.
We pride ourselves on ensuring comprehensive mental health treatment for teens aged 12-17. Our facility is staffed by highly qualified mental health practitioners with experience working with teens. In addition to this, our facility is located in a tranquil environment where your teen can focus on treatment.
If your teen has a mental health condition that causes them to experience overwhelming emotions, DBT is the best treatment for them. Contact NexStep Teen Academy today to get your teen the help they need. Visit our website or contact us for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Typically, DBT treatment lasts for about four months. The results of mental health treatment are dependent on your teen’s progress and the severity of their condition. Treatment can last for a few months or take up to a year.
DBT can be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety. DBT focuses on teaching teens coping mechanisms that can be useful in addressing anxiety and ADHD symptoms.
No, DBT is suitable for treating mental health and behavioral issues. It is not limited to serious mental health conditions.
Family therapy can use DBT techniques to improve family dynamics and interactions. Parents are encouraged to participate in their teen’s mental health treatment to learn how to support them effectively.