DBT Therapy for Adolescents and Families in Encinitas
When a teen is struggling with intense emotions, it often affects the entire family. This might look like anxiety, shutting down, impulsive behavior, self-harm, or frequent conflict at home.
Parents may feel worried and unsure how to help, while the teen may feel overwhelmed, misunderstood, or out of control. I use DBT to help teens build practical skills for managing emotions, responding more effectively in difficult moments, and improving their relationships.
I also work with parents and families to reduce conflict and create more supportive patterns at home. I offer in-person therapy in Cardiff-by-the-Sea and Encinitas, as well as online therapy throughout California.
Is DBT a Good Fit for Your Teen?
DBT can be especially helpful for teens who may understand what they are supposed to do but have difficulty using that knowledge when their emotions become intense. It may be a good fit if your teen is struggling with:
Intense or rapidly changing emotions
Anxiety, depression, or school avoidance
Anger, impulsivity, or recurring crises
Self-harm or suicidal thoughts
Shutting down or refusing to communicate
Frequent conflict at home
Relationships that feel unstable or overwhelming
Previous therapy that increased insight but did not lead to enough change
Every teen and family is different. During the initial consultation and assessment, we will talk about what has been happening, what you have already tried, and whether DBT fits your teen’s needs.
How DBT Can Help?
DBT is practical and active. We do not only talk about what happened. We look at what led up to the situation, what made it harder, and what you and your teen can try differently the next time.
Teens learn skills to:
Notice and understand their emotions
Manage intense emotions without acting impulsively
Get through difficult moments without making the situation worse
Communicate their needs more effectively
Set boundaries and handle conflict
Stay more present instead of becoming overwhelmed
Apply skills at home, at school, and with peers
Learning a skill in therapy is only the beginning. The goal is to help teens practice these skills in real situations so they become more confident using them when they are actually needed.
What Working With Me Looks Like?
At the beginning of treatment, I take time to understand what has been happening, identify the behaviors or patterns creating the most difficulty, and clarify what your teen and family would like to change.
Sessions are collaborative and structured. We use real situations from your teen’s life to understand patterns, practice skills, and develop a plan for handling similar situations more effectively in the future.
Depending on your teen’s needs, treatment may include:
Individual therapy
DBT skills practice
Parent coaching
Family sessions
Diary cards to track emotions, urges, behaviors, and skill use
Safety planning and ongoing progress monitoring
Between-session phone coaching within established treatment boundaries
Not every teen or family needs every component. We will determine together what level of structure and support is appropriate.
FAQs
Does DBT help with self-harm?
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DBT was specifically developed to address serious behaviors such as self-harm and suicidal behavior. Treatment helps teens recognize triggers, tolerate distress, ask for support, and use safer alternatives when urges become intense. Safety is assessed individually, and a clear safety plan is developed when needed.
If your teen is in immediate danger or unable to remain safe, please call 911, call or text 988, or go to the nearest emergency room.
How are parents involved in treatment?
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The level of parent involvement depends on the teen’s age, needs, and treatment goals. Parents often participate through parent-coaching or family sessions while the teen also has an individual space to work. We will discuss expectations for confidentiality and parent involvement at the beginning of treatment.
Do you provide online therapy?
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Yes. I provide in-person therapy in Cardiff-by-the-Sea and Encinitas, as well as secure online therapy for clients located throughout California.
Do you accept insurance?
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I am in-network with Aetna and Anthem Blue Cross of California. Coverage and out-of-pocket costs depend on your individual plan, so I recommend verifying your mental-health benefits directly with your insurance company.