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Teen DBT therapy in Denver — FRTC

DBT for Teens in Denver — Skills for the Years That Matter Most

Family-centered Dialectical Behavior Therapy for adolescents in Greenwood Village. For teens struggling with intense emotions, conflict, and the urge to shut down or act out — and for the parents trying to help.

Teen-trained DBT clinicians — individual, skills group & family support
Licensed clinicians — Colorado Access (Medicaid) accepted
In-person in Greenwood Village or telehealth across Colorado
Free 15-Minute Call

Schedule a Free Consultation

Talk with our team about what your teen is going through and find out whether DBT is the right fit for your family. No commitment required.

Private, judgement-free conversation
Ask about the program, scheduling & next steps
No obligation to enroll

Free 15-min phone consult, or send a written question — we typically respond within 1 business day, Mon–Fri.

The Research Behind Teen DBT

DBT for adolescents is one of the most-studied teen mental-health treatments, with strong results across multiple randomized controlled trials.

70%
Greater reduction in self-harm behaviors among adolescents in DBT vs. enhanced usual care.
Mehlum et al., JAACAP, 2014
Lasting
Improvements in depression, suicidal ideation, and emotion regulation maintained at one-year follow-up.
Mehlum et al., follow-up, 2016
Fewer
Psychiatric hospitalizations and ER visits for teens in DBT compared with standard care.
McCauley et al., JAMA Psychiatry, 2018
Stronger
Family communication and reduced parent-teen conflict when parents take part.
Rathus & Miller, DBT for Adolescents

What Teen DBT Actually Is

Dialectical Behavior Therapy teaches concrete, practical skills — not just talk. Teens learn to handle big emotions, get through hard moments without making them worse, and communicate without blowing up or shutting down. Parents learn the same skills, so the change holds at home.

Mindfulness

Noticing what they feel before reacting — so choices come from a clearer, calmer place.

Emotion Regulation

Understanding intense emotions and learning what to do when feelings run high.

Distress Tolerance

Getting through crisis moments — at school, at home, with friends — without making things worse.

Interpersonal Effectiveness

Asking for what they need, setting boundaries, and handling conflict and peer pressure.

Who Teen DBT Helps

If any of this sounds like what your family is living with, DBT may help. You don't need a diagnosis to start.

Mood swings & emotional intensity
Depression or anxiety
Self-harm urges or thoughts of suicide
Anger, impulsivity, or risky behavior
Relationship & family conflict
Trouble coping with stress or trauma

We describe what teens are experiencing, not just labels. If daily life feels harder than it should, a consultation is a good first step.

What's Included in Our Teen Program

Comprehensive DBT for adolescents brings every piece together — and brings parents in, because that's what makes it work.

1

Individual Therapy

Weekly one-on-one sessions focused on your teen's goals, triggers, and the real situations they're navigating week to week.

Weekly · 50 min
2

Multi-Family Skills Group

Teens and parents learn DBT skills together each week, building a shared language for handling emotions and conflict at home.

Weekly · group
3

Phone Coaching

Real-time support between sessions — your teen can call for quick guidance on which skill to use in a tough moment.

As needed
4

Parent Coaching

Optional sessions for parents on staying calm, communicating, setting limits, and supporting your teen's progress.

Optional · family

Our Approach

What sets our teen program apart from DBT-informed or generalist care.

Linehan Board Certified

One of fewer than 30 certified programs in the U.S. — audited for fidelity to the full DBT model, adapted for teens.

Clinicians Trained for Teens

Licensed clinicians who specialize in adolescents and know how to build trust with a guarded teenager.

The Whole Family

Parents learn alongside their teen. We support the family system, not just the teen in isolation.

In-Person or Telehealth

Meet in our Greenwood Village office or online from anywhere in Colorado — whatever fits your family's schedule.

Book Your Free Consultation

Pick a time that works for you. This free 15-minute call is a no-pressure way to ask questions and find out whether our teen DBT program is right for your family.

Prefer to write instead? Send a question →

Common Questions from Parents

Answers to what families most often ask before getting started.

What ages do you work with?

Our teen DBT program is built for adolescents ages 13–17. For younger kids, we offer a separate Child DBT program, and adults have their own track. We'll help you find the right fit on your consultation call.

Do you do DBT for teens in person, or is it online?

Both. Individual sessions are available in-person at our Greenwood Village office or by telehealth. The multi-family skills group is offered virtually so families across Colorado can take part. We'll talk through what works best for your schedule.

Why do parents participate?

When parents learn the same DBT skills as their teen, treatment tends to stick better and conflict at home goes down. You build a shared language, practice staying calm under pressure, and reinforce progress between sessions. Parent involvement is one of the strongest predictors of success in teen DBT.

What happens on the free consultation call?

It's a short, no-pressure phone call to ask questions, describe what your teen is going through, and find out whether our program is a good match. There's no obligation to enroll — it's just a starting point.

Does my teen need a diagnosis to start?

No. You don't need a specific diagnosis to benefit from DBT. If intense emotions, conflict, or risky behavior are making daily life harder, the skills can help. We'll talk through what your family is navigating and where to begin.

How long does the teen program take?

The core multi-family skills group runs about six months with weekly sessions, alongside weekly individual therapy. Many families continue individual work afterward. We'll set a realistic plan together based on your teen's goals.

Do you accept insurance?

We accept Colorado Access (Medicaid). For commercial plans we're out-of-network and provide superbills you can submit for possible reimbursement based on your plan's out-of-network benefits. We're happy to walk through cost on your call.

Have Questions? Send Us a Message

Not ready to book a call? No problem. Ask us anything about teen DBT, our program, or what to expect.

We typically respond within 1 business day (Mon–Fri). Your information is confidential.

If your teen is in crisis right now

This page isn't a crisis line, and bookings are handled during business hours. If your teen is having thoughts of suicide or is in immediate danger, get help now:

  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988 (24/7, free, confidential)
  • Crisis Text Line — text HOME to 741741
  • Emergency — call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room

Ready to Help Your Teen?

Schedule a free phone consultation to ask questions and find out whether our teen DBT program is the right fit for your family. No commitment required.

Book Your Free Consultation

Or send a question instead →

Calls available Mon–Fri · We respond within 1 business day

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