skills group
DBT Group for Adolescents
Our adolescent DBT skills group helps young people ages 13 to 17 build practical tools for managing intense emotions, navigating difficult relationships, and developing resilience. Skills practice, not talk therapy.
ABOUT DBT
Skills for the moments that feel impossible.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a structured, skills-based approach developed to help people manage intense emotions and improve relationships. It was originally developed for adults, but has been extensively adapted for adolescents and is now one of the most well-researched treatments for teens who struggle with emotional dysregulation.
The DBT skills group meets weekly. Participants learn and practice specific, concrete skills across four areas. Many adolescents find that the skills become part of how they think and respond, not just tools they use in crisis.
module 01
Mindfulness
Learning to observe thoughts and feelings without immediately reacting to them. Mindfulness is the foundation of all other DBT skills, and helps teens pause before acting on strong emotions.
module 02
Distress Tolerance
Skills for surviving difficult moments without making things worse. This includes techniques for getting through a crisis without resorting to self-destructive behaviors.
module 03
Emotion Regulation
Understanding where emotions come from and how to reduce their intensity over time. Teens learn to identify, name, and respond to their feelings rather than being overwhelmed by them.
module 04
Interpersonal Effectiveness
Strategies for asking for what you need, saying no, and maintaining relationships while keeping self-respect. Especially useful for navigating peer and family dynamics.
DETAILS
Who this group is for, and what to expect.
Who This Group Is For
- Adolescents ages 13 to 17
- Young people who experience intense or overwhelming emotions
- Teens who struggle with relationships, conflict, or impulsivity
- Adolescents who want to build emotional skills alongside individual therapy
- Those managing anxiety, depression, mood disorders, or self-harm urges
DBT skills group works best alongside individual therapy. We can discuss this during enrollment.
Group Details
Day and time: Tuesdays, 5:00 to 6:00 pm
Location: 258 Main St., Sturbridge, MA 01566
Enrollment: Rolling enrollment. Contact us to check current availability and start date.
To enroll or ask questions, call us at 508.418.6888 or email info@massps.net
Looking for a group for young adults?
We also offer a DBT skills group for adults ages 18 to 28. Same evidence-based curriculum, different cohort.