DBT Skills Training

DBT Skills Training for Adolescents & Families

A Structured, Skills-Based Programme for Emotional Regulation & Healthy Relationships

What Is DBT Skills Training?

DBT Skills Training is a practical, skills-focused treatment grounded in the biosocial model of emotional dysregulation. Rather than focusing only on insight, DBT teaches concrete skills that adolescents and families can practise in everyday life.

This programme supports adolescents who struggle with:

Intense or rapidly changing emotions
Self-harm or impulsive behaviours
Relationship difficulties and family conflict
Emotional sensitivity and reactivity
Difficulties with distress tolerance and coping

Who Is This Programme For?

This programme is suitable for adolescents and families seeking:

Practical tools rather than purely insight-based therapy
A structured, evidence-based approach
Active family involvement
Skills that support long-term emotional and relational health

Interested in Joining the DBT Skills Programme?

Please contact us to discuss suitability, group availability, and referral requirements.

Programme Structure

The programme runs over 24 weeks (6 months) and follows a carefully structured cycle of skills modules. Groups operate either as rolling-admission (open) groups or, where appropriate, as closed groups.

Core Skills Modules

Each module is taught over approximately 4 weeks, with Orientation and Mindfulness repeated before the start of every new module to support integration and continuity.

Modules include:

Orientation & Mindfulness Skills
Building awareness, attention control, and understanding the DBT framework
Distress Tolerance Skills
Learning how to survive emotional crises without making things worse
Walking the Middle Path Skills
Balancing acceptance and change, reducing polarised thinking, improving family interactions
Emotion Regulation Skills
Understanding emotions, reducing emotional vulnerability, and building positive experiences
Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills
Developing assertive communication, boundary-setting, and relationship skills

A full cycle through all modules takes 24 weeks, after which the cycle may repeat depending on the indicated need.

Orientation & Mindfulness: A Foundation for Change

Orientation sessions introduce adolescents and families to:

The DBT model and biosocial theory
The rationale for skills training
Treatment assumptions and group guidelines
Expectations for participation and practice

Mindfulness skills are revisited before every new module, allowing families to reflect on progress, strengthen foundational skills, and support new learning. Senior group members often assist in orientating newer families, fostering hope, motivation, and shared learning.

Depth, Practice & Skill Mastery

This programme balances breadth and depth, ensuring that:

Skills are taught with clear explanations and real-life examples
Ample time is provided for in-session practice
Homework/ Action Plan assignments support generalisation to daily life
Skills are revisited and reinforced across modules

Sessions run for approximately 2 hours, typically including:

Mindfulness practice and homework review
Teaching and practising new skills

The pace of the programme is responsive to the learning styles and needs of the group, ensuring participants are not overwhelmed and can meaningfully integrate skills.

Group Format & Size

Groups are facilitated by two trained DBT clinicians to ensure safety, structure, and effective skills coaching.

Small to medium groups (typically 3–5 families) allow for individualised attention, practice, and feedback
Larger groups may be divided for homework review to maintain skill depth and engagement

This structure supports learning while maintaining a strong focus on skills acquisition rather than process-driven group therapy.

Open (Rolling) Groups vs Closed Groups

Where possible, we recommend open, rolling-admission groups, allowing families to join at the start of Orientation and Mindfulness modules.

Benefits include:

Exposure to a stable, well-functioning group culture
Opportunities for adolescents to practise adapting to change
Peer modelling and mentorship from more experienced members
Increased hope as families witness others’ progress and graduation

Closed groups may be offered in specific circumstances and provide greater continuity, though they require careful facilitation to maintain a skills-based focus.

Duration & Progression

While standard DBT skills training for adults spans one year, this adolescent programme is intentionally structured as a 6-month intervention, reflecting developmental needs and engagement patterns.

At the end of one full cycle: