( Ages 14–18 )
Individual Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Services help teens manage intense emotions, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, impulsive behaviors, and challenges with relationships. Through individual therapy, teens learn practical skills to better handle difficult situations, build healthier relationships, and work toward their personal goals.
Who We Serve
DBT serves teens ages 14–18 of all genders experiencing acute mental health challenges, including depression, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, impulsivity, school challenges, and low self-worth. Teens may also have difficulty managing emotions, coping with stress, maintaining relationships, or responding to difficult situations.
Individual Therapy
DBT individual therapy helps teens apply new skills to the challenges they face in everyday life. Therapists work with each teen to identify goals, track progress, and find ways to handle difficult situations. Teens participate in:
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Individual Therapy: Weekly one-on-one sessions focused on personal goals and challenges.
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Mindfulness: Learning to pay attention to thoughts, feelings, and experiences without judgment.
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Emotion Regulation: Building skills to understand and manage strong emotions.
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Distress Tolerance: Learning ways to get through difficult situations without making them worse.
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Relationship Skills: Practicing communication and other skills to build healthier relationships.
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Care Coordination: Connecting treatment with other providers and supports when needed.
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Psychiatry: Medication support when needed.
What DBT Can Help With
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Manage intense emotions
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Handle stress and difficult situations
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Reduce self-harm and impulsive behaviors
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Improve communication and relationships
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Build confidence and resilience
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Make choices that support their goals
What Makes DBT Different?
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Skills for Everyday Life: Teens practice using DBT skills in situations that are relevant to their own lives.
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Individualized Support: Therapy focuses on each teen’s goals, challenges, strengths, and needs.
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Evidence-Based Treatment: DBT is an evidence-based approach that teaches practical skills for managing emotions, handling stress, and improving relationships.
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Trauma-Informed Care: The Attachment, Regulation, Competency (ARC) model helps inform how therapists understand and support teens and their families.
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Culturally Responsive Care: Treatment considers each teen’s identity, experiences, and needs.
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Support for Continued Progress: DBT can be part of a larger continuum of care, with coordination between providers and other supports as needed.
Insurance & Referrals
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Referring providers can contact us to discuss whether Individual DBT may be a good fit for a client.
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We accept First Choice, Premera, Regence, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Kaiser Permanente, LifeWise, Optum United Behavioral Health, United Healthcare Community Plan of Washington, and all Medicaid MCOs: Molina, United Health Care, Wellpoint, Community Health Plan of Washington, and Coordinated Care.