DBT Therapy for Teens

Our adolescent therapy specialists have extensive experience in addressing the educational, emotional, social, and behavioral challenges that teens experience.

Why DBT Therapy for Teens makes a difference

Rates of depression among teens are on the rise in Texas and across the US. Teenagers often grapple with identity formation, emotional regulation, and peer relationships. If left unattended, these mental health issues can lead to more serious problems as teens become adults.

Fortunately, Teen DBT® is proven to be a highly effective form of therapy for teenagers. This is because DBT® therapy for teens is a highly structured process focusing on addressing impulsive behaviors and teaching teen skills healthy ways to manage their emotions.

Our Teen DBT® program teaches adolescents (aged 11-17) practical skills such as distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.

“It can be hard to find the right therapist for your teen, but Austin DBT has been a godsend for our daughter. Their therapist aces it in every way: She’s an empathetic listener, is insightful, and builds and maintains trust (including with parents) by creating a safe space for the healing journey to unfold. The growth and progress we’ve seen in our daughter — and more importantly, the strength she has found in herself — has been amazing.”

Learn about our Teen DBT program

Our Teen DBT® program is for 11 to 17-year-olds. It focuses on helping them learn skills and how to apply them in daily life.

Individual therapy occurs weekly with a therapist who is highly trained and adept at understanding your family and your teen’s dynamics. The parent typically does not participate in the individual session; rapport and trust between client and therapist are paramount.
Teens will be asked to complete a diary card to record their moods and behaviors, a tool for accurate reporting in individual therapy.
The Teen DBT® Skills Classes provide an environment for them to learn and refine skills for daily coping.
In addition to weekly therapy, teens in our program will have access to phone coaching. Phone coaching is a component to the comprehensive DBT® program in which teens have opportunity to contact their therapist outside of sessions.

We also offer affordable Teen DBT Skills Classes

Our Teen DBT® Skills Classes for ages 11–17 are part of our fully adherent DBT® program. Our Skills Classes requires that each teen have an individual therapist and maintain ongoing therapy throughout the duration of the program to support continuity of care. Classes are also available to adolescents working with clinicians outside of our practice.

Our Teen DBT® Skills Classes can help them build resilience for life. Our classes teach essential skills that aren’t typically taught in school, such as mindfulness, emotion regulation, and stress management. We also offer specialized classes for high school teens struggling with perfectionism.

Two Special Summer Programs - Make the most of summer break

1. Summer DBT Skills Camp for ages 11-18 - a great way to get ready for Back-to-School

Our DBT® Summer Skills Camp is for adolescents and teens aged 11-18. This DBT® Intensive program is a great way for teens and pre-teens to spend summer. It encompasses four DBT® core skill modules:

Mindfulness – Learning to stay present and fully engaged in the moment without judgment.
Distress Tolerance – Building the ability to navigate intense emotions and challenging situations without resorting to harmful behaviors.
Emotion Regulation – Gaining tools to understand, manage, and respond to emotions in healthy and effective ways.
Interpersonal Effectiveness – Strengthening communication skills, setting boundaries, and fostering respectful, meaningful relationships.

This program runs for four weeks (July 8-31), three days a week, for two hours per day. The cost is $1,500 for all 12 sessions (including the pre-assessment). Participants will learn coping skills and practical strategies to handle life’s challenges with greater resilience and confidence.

2. Summer Adolescent IOP for 6th, 7th and 8th Graders

We offer a special Adolescent IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program) designed for middle schoolers aged 11–14 who are struggling with anxiety, depression, or behavioral challenges.

This structured, 6-week program runs three days a week, for three hours per day over the summer. Each session costs $240. Students are expected to attend 12 sessions.

Through a combination of one-on-one DBT therapy for teens, group therapy, and skill-building activities, pre-teens will learn emotional regulation, communication, and coping strategies in a supportive, age-appropriate environment. Set them up for success in high school and beyond.

In-Person Parent Skills Class

We offer a new 12-week parent skills class led by Marcy Musgrave. This group is ideal for parents of children aged 7-17, particularly those who may already be attending our DBT adolescent groups.

When: Monday evenings, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM (In-person)
Initial Assessment: A 90-minute intake session is required ($180).

Cost: $70 per week for one parent, $120 per week for both parents.

What to expect in our DBT Therapy for Teens

A 90-minute intake assessment is conducted by a licensed DBT® clinician. During this time, the clinician will assess your teen’s history, needs, and goals to identify the best course of treatment. You and your teen will learn more about DBT® and what to expect. This way, you both can determine whether DBT® is the right fit.

The average initial intake assessment fee is $180.

Once you and your adolescent have completed the intake assessment (and are oriented to a group skills class, if that’s a part of the treatment plan), your teen will begin recurring sessions, usually each week. These individual sessions last 50 minutes. Weekly group sessions last 90 minutes.