Teenagers today face increasing pressures and are forced to navigate many more challenging situations than years prior. As a result, teen mental health is a very important topic that deserve greater awareness. Starting a dialogue about mental health issues is the first step.
Westport Family Counseling is pleased to announce the addition of DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) GROUPS for Adolescents to our service offerings. Our DBT Skills Groups provide effective skills-based therapy in a group setting where participants can feel comfortable as they learn coping skills. DBT is a highly innovative and effective approach that can be used proactively in health and growth models. Adolescents who struggle to control their emotions and behaviors will benefit from this group. Emotional and behavioral dysregulation often contribute to an adolescent’s difficulties in establishing a stable sense of self and forming fulfilling and stable relationships with peers and family members.
In addition to skills training, DBT emphasizes an accepting, nonjudgmental, and validating approach to clients. This approach means that DBT therapists work hard to understand their clients’ world and acknowledge how clients’ feelings, thoughts and behaviors make sense given the context of their unique situation. This validation is balanced with change strategies.
WFC offers a warm, welcoming environment in which to learn new skills to help teens change maladaptive behaviors, approach relationships differently, and become less reactive to debilitating emotions or aggravating events. DBT skills are powerful, effective tools for so many of the challenges faced in life – challenges that often feel baffling or insurmountable. For further information on DBT groups for Adolescents, please contact Westport Family Counseling at 203-227-4555 or email wfc@wfcmail.org.
