Anyone have experience with DBT for Adolescents?

[wetcoastmom]

Anyone have any experience doing DBT with a teen? We will be starting skills groups soon and are just wondering if there are any things that will help this process for our family.

Our objective is to better understand the struggles our child faces and to learn the skills to improve our relationship and provide a supportive environment and also improve on our own emotional responses, attitudes and effectiveness as a family leaders

[Hyacinth Bucket]

My daughter liked this workbook when she was in her late teens:

https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Your-Emotions-Life-Teens/dp/1572248831/

[Merlot]

Hi westcoastmom

Thanks for responding to my message. Im sorry for what you are going through. 

I can say that it is very positive that you are able to get her into DBT.  My daughter is now 27 but sounds very similar to your daughter when she was 15. Back then, she was not diagnosed and counsellors never mentioned DBT. So I dont have direct experience but Im hoping parents who do will comment as I would be interested in hearing about the programme itself.

Hang in there. With therapy, there comes much hope.

Thank you for sharing on the boards

Merlot

[SkellyII]

Hi Westcoastmom

Yes my 15 year-old daughter and I just completed the year-long DBT skills training, along with weekly sessions with a DBT trained therapist. We've both made a lot of progress in the last year. She is starting to understand how to deal with her mental illness, and I'm gained a greater understanding of her and what she is going through.

One of the best things for me was exchanging information with the other parents,learning what others were going through, coping strategies, and sometimes, just  having people who really understand when voicing my frustrations.

Good luck with everything!

[wendydarling]

Hi wetcoastmom

It's good to hear you are starting DBT and I wish you and family the very best. My DD is not a teen she turned 30 last week, she completed 14 months DBT 12 months ago. As an adult I was not officially involved, though as you can imagine living with me I walked with her... .with support of the wonderful parents here. SkellyII it's great to hear your daughter is starting to understand how to deal with her mental illness, it was so important for my DD to feel she was not alone, her challenges understood and accepted for who she is.

Our latest DBT news is following formal discharge after 12 months DD was given the name of a charity (low cost for non workers) for further DBT. Initially they said they only take critical cases, then they called her back a few days later and said there was a refresher group. She attended an exhausting two hour assessment last Friday, she waits to hear back from them.

I look forward to hearing more from you both.

Wetcoastmom have you had your first session yet?

WDx