Child DBT Program
A compassionate, structured program helping children and their families build the skills they need for emotional stability and stronger connections.
Is DBT Right for My Child?
DBT-C is especially helpful when other forms of therapy haven't worked or challenges persist despite your best efforts.
DBT's biosocial model explains that some children naturally feel things more deeply. If their emotions are dismissed or misunderstood, they may struggle even more. DBT-C focuses on building emotional skills while helping parents create a more validating, supportive home.
How Our Program Works
A parent-centered approach that creates lasting change from the inside out.
Parent DBT Training Primary component · 3–6 months
Parent coaching is the core of DBT-C. Parents learn DBT principles, communication strategies, boundary-setting, validation, and how to implement a DBT training program at home. This isn't just a warm-up — it's the main treatment. As you learn to respond differently, children's behavior often changes significantly.
Occasional Child Sessions As needed
Your child's DBT therapist may meet with your child periodically for support, skills coaching, and assessment. However, the treatment is almost entirely delivered through parent coaching — the therapist determines how often child meetings need to occur based on your family's situation.
Optional Parent Therapy
Individual therapy for parents who need extra support or want to pursue personal goals. Completed with a different therapist than your child's DBT trainer. Sometimes recommended for the best outcomes — if a parent is struggling, children can tell.
Conditions DBT-C Can Help With
DBT-C has evidence across a wide range of childhood emotional and behavioral concerns.
- Anxiety & School Refusal
- Generalized anxiety, social anxiety, separation anxiety, phobias, or refusal to attend school
- Depression & Mood Disorders
- Sadness, irritability, or withdrawal from activities
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder
- Frequent defiance, arguing, or moodiness
- Conduct Disorder
- Aggression or rule-breaking beyond typical misbehavior
- OCD
- Repetitive rituals or intrusive thoughts
- PTSD
- Fear, nightmares, or avoidance tied to past trauma
How DBT-C Helps Children and Families
Four lasting shifts families typically see over the course of treatment.
Address Aggressive Behaviors
Parents learn to manage concerning behaviors with clear expectations, consistency, and reinforcement.
Build Emotional Control
Children learn to notice and name their feelings, use coping strategies, and avoid reactive behaviors.
Reduce Anxiety & Depression
Skills to calm their mind and body help children feel more secure and confident.
Strengthen Communication
Interpersonal skills help children form healthier connections with siblings, classmates, and adults.
What the Research Shows
Parent-delivered DBT-C is backed by randomized controlled trials and a growing body of outcome research.
reductions in depressive symptoms, emotional dysregulation, and behavioral problems after 12 weeks of DBT-C (Perepletchikova et al., 2017)
treatment-retention rates in parent-delivered programs compared to child-only therapy — families stay engaged when parents are the agents of change
improvements in family functioning and parent-child communication, with outcomes maintained at follow-up assessments
DBT-C research is a newer but actively growing field. Perepletchikova and colleagues published the first randomized controlled trial of DBT-C in 2017, and it remains one of the only structured, evidence-based DBT adaptations designed specifically for pre-adolescent children and their parents.
“Children can learn emotional skills far earlier than we often give them credit for. Starting young changes the trajectory.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from parents considering DBT-C for their child.
What is DBT for Kids?
What age can a child start?
Why is parent coaching the main treatment?
Does DBT work for children with anxiety or school refusal?
How is DBT different from other therapies for kids?
What if my child refuses to participate?
How long does the program last?
How do I get started?
Who you'll be working with.
Licensed clinicians, led by a Certified DBT Clinician™. We meet weekly as a consultation team so every client gets the collective expertise — not one therapist working alone.
Ready to Start DBT for Your Child?
You're not alone. With support for both child and parent, we help families strengthen connection, reduce chaos, and build emotional resilience together.