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12 WEEK TEEN DBT COPING SKILLS GROUP (AGES 14-17)

EDMONTON, ALBERTA

wednesdays 7:30-8:30 pm Edmonton

** Limited spots available for groups**

When your teen is highly sensitive, they get upset easily, have extreme emotional reactions and experience difficulty calming down from big emotions.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based program that has been scientifically proven to help teens

Develop awareness of their emotions so teens no longer go from 0 to 100 and have the space to respond effectively, rather than react in problematic ways to unhelpful feelings

  • Learn concrete coping strategies to deal with difficulties so that they no longer self-harm, self-medicate or make the situation worse with impulsive behavior in the moment

  • Create a personalized plan for taking care of themselves to reduce the likelihood of problematic behaviors and to help your teen get off the emotional roller coaster.

  • Learn to communicate their needs clearly and create positive relationships that foster healthy self-esteem

  • Learn to set healthy boundaries in friendships & relationships

  • Explore topics around healthy relationships, anxiety, depression, body image and school stresses & worries




DEVELOP EFFECTIVE COPING SKILLS

Manage big emotions without impulsive or self-destructive behaviors that make the situation worse 

IMPROVE RELATIONSHIPS

Learn to clearly communicate needs and ask for help before a crisis occurs and improve healthy relationships with friends, teachers and family members. Learn skills for self -expression and healthy assertiveness.

CREATE LASTING CHANGE

Understand how you feel in the moment and know what skills to use when so that your teen makes healthy and effective choices consistently

  • Your teen will learn how to tune into their thoughts and emotions and "Wise Mind" so that they can feel big emotions while also making safe, healthy and effective decisions, without impulsive behaviors that often make the situation worse.  

  • Your teen will learn to recognize self-criticisms and judgments and let go of pressures and comparisons so they can rebuild a positive self-image and fully accept themselves for who they are while also learning the skills to live as their best selves.

  • Your teen will learn the distract, self-soothe and improve the moment skills to get through moments that are tough when they can't change or solve the problem right away.  This is the concrete toolbox of coping skills that'll help your teen in everyday stressful situations to prevent them from escalating into crises.

  • When you continue to try to change people or situations that cannot be changed, YOU struggle. This is when acceptance is key.  Your teen will practice acceptance of difficult thoughts and situations and learn to navigate life's difficulties in ways that open up opportunity, rather than keeping them stuck in suffering and struggle.

  •  Your teen will learn exposure strategies to endure emotions that are safe but uncomfortable so that they can feel their feelings in healthy ways that allow them to form closer connections and better express themselves.

  • There are ways that you can decrease your vulnerability to feeling overwhelmed by emotions AND ways to increase your experiences of happiness and connection, even when you have depression or anxiety.  Your teen will learn how to create and accumulate positive experiences while also practicing self-care skills to nurture themselves on a regular basis and maintain a healthy balance.

  •  Your teen will learn and practice an assertiveness script to enhance confidence and will explore and remove barriers to being effective in relationships.

  • When you stick to your values, live honestly and show interest in others you can feel good about yourself and maintain your relationships too.  Your teen will explore what it means to live within their values and celebrate the transformative progress made in skill-building.

WHAT DO THRIVE GROUPS OFFER MY TEEN?

  • Gain perspective and positive feedback from peers who will keep them on track to meet goals — most times more quickly than in individual therapy alone

  • Find peer acceptance and practice healthy communication skills to help your teen improve their mood and ability to manage ups and downs in emotion

  • Gain weekly support and skills in managing friendships, relationships, school pressure and social media

  • Increased confidence in handling life challenges

  • Learn practical coping tools that your teen will actually use because they are teen tested and endorsed to help your teen manage big feelings skillfully and without impulsive behaviors, procrastination or isolation that end up making the situation worse in the long run

  • Professional support with experienced Thrive therapists who specialize in and love working with teens!

  • Detailed receipts for submitting to your health benefit plan with a psychologist or clinical counsellor