Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a structured, evidence-based therapeutic approach designed to help individuals who experience intense emotions, struggle with impulsivity, or have difficulty managing distress. Originally developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan to treat Borderline Personality Disorder, DBT has since been widely adapted for children, teens, and adults dealing with emotional dysregulation, anxiety, depression, self-harm, and interpersonal difficulties.

DBT is unique in that it balances acceptance and change, teaching individuals to understand and validate their emotions while also developing practical skills to respond more effectively. This approach is especially beneficial for individuals who feel overwhelmed by their emotions or who struggle to regulate their reactions in challenging situations.

Our Approach to DBT at Moroz Child Psychology Group

While DBT is a structured intervention, our clinicians ensure that it is customized to the developmental level, personality, and specific needs of each child or teen. Our goal is to help clients develop lifelong emotional regulation skills that allow them to handle stress, navigate relationships, and build a greater sense of self-awareness and control.

Core Components of DBT:

  • Mindfulness: DBT emphasizes becoming more aware of thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations in the present moment without judgment. We teach children and teens how to observe their emotions without being consumed by them, allowing them to pause and make intentional choices rather than reacting impulsively.
  • Distress Tolerance: Many children and teens struggle with tolerating difficult emotions and turn to avoidance, outbursts, or unhealthy coping mechanisms. We help clients develop practical, healthy coping skills to manage distress without resorting to harmful behaviors.
  • Emotion Regulation: DBT teaches individuals how to recognize, label, and modulate their emotional responses, helping them reduce the intensity of overwhelming emotions and shift toward more adaptive responses. Clients learn how nutrition, sleep, and daily habits impact their ability to regulate emotions.
  • Interpersonal Effectiveness: Many children and teens struggle with expressing their needs, setting boundaries, and managing conflicts. DBT provides strategies for assertive communication, navigating peer relationships, and balancing self-respect with social connection.
  • Walking the Middle Path: A unique adaptation of DBT for adolescents, this module helps children and parents bridge gaps in understanding, foster compromise, and balance different perspectives, particularly when families experience ongoing conflict.

Parent Involvement

DBT is most effective when parents are involved in helping reinforce skills at home. We coach parents in DBT strategies, providing guidance on how to validate their child's emotions while also maintaining appropriate boundaries and expectations.

Our Goal

Our goal is to help children and teens develop a toolkit of DBT skills that allow them to navigate emotional challenges with confidence. By learning how to manage distress, regulate emotions, and communicate effectively, clients become more resilient and better equipped to handle life’s inevitable ups and downs.