Intensive DBT Treatment for Children & Adolescents
When your child or teen is struggling with big emotions, it can feel like your whole world is off-balance. You want to help, but it’s hard to know where to start. Our seasonal Intensive DBT Program is designed to encourage real change in a condensed period of time giving your family the tools and support you need.
What is an Intensive DBT Program for Youth?
Our intensive program is an accelerated, focused version of our standard Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) program. Instead of spreading therapy over 30 weeks, we concentrate the learning into a structured, seasonal program-usually about seven weeks. Our approach serves adolescents (ages 12-18), with instruction tailored to each developmental stage. Strong caregiver involvement is a key component, as this collaborative process ensures that the skills learned in therapy are successfully integrated and practiced at home.
Who Is This Program For?
It’s a good fit if your child or teen is dealing with things like:
Overwhelming emotions that are hard to control
Impulsive behaviors or acting without thinking
Self-harm or thoughts of suicide
Constant conflict at home or in school
Struggles with anxiety, depression, or trauma
Concerns about substance use
We have separate tracks for younger kids in our DBT-C for children 8–12 program and for older ones in our DBT-A for adolescents program, because a 10-year-old and a 16-year-old need very different approaches.
How Our Intensive Helps
Children and adolescents learn the skills much faster because they're immersed in them. The structure provides a sense of stability and accountability that can be really grounding when things feel chaotic.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Quicker Skill Building: Your child will get a handle on core DBT skills-like mindfulness, handling distress, managing emotions, and communicating effectively-in a concentrated timeframe.
- Real-Time Support: Phone coaching provides on-the-spot guidance from a therapist to help your child apply skills effectively.
- A Family Approach: You'll learn the same skills your child is learning. This helps you understand what they're going through and how to support them at home. It’s all about "walking the middle path" together and getting out of those black-and-white arguments.
What’s Included
(Program Components)
Our program is a thorough application of the evidence-based DBT model. It’s not just one thing; it’s a combination of supports that work together.
Program Structure & Schedule
Our intensive program is a seasonal, 7-week hybrid model. This means there are some in-person sessions at our NYC and NJ offices, with other parts of the program happening virtually. The exact schedule and calendar are something we share during the consultation process, as it can vary a bit between cohorts. We also run separate groups for the younger children and the adolescents to make sure the content is a good fit for their age.
Family Involvement: Why Parents & Caregivers Matter
Caretaker involvement is key. You'll learn how to validate your child's feelings while also encouraging change, which can break old patterns of conflict. It’s so important that we even offer a dedicated Parent & Caregiver DBT Intensive that complements this youth program.
Insurance, Fees & Out-of-Network Support
We are an out-of-network provider, which means we don't bill insurance companies directly. We know this can be a concern, so we provide you with all the documentation you need to seek reimbursement from your insurance plan. We recommend you check with your provider about your out-of-network benefits. You can find more details on our Insurance page.
Locations & Access
In-Person Locations: We have offices in Midtown Manhattan (1776 Broadway, Suite 2210), the Upper West Side (16 W 86th St, 1A), and in New Jersey at Florham Park and Cranford.
Virtual Services: We offer virtual therapy across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
If you have questions, call us at 212-560-2437.
How to Get Started
We've made the process as straightforward as we can. Here’s how it works:
Request a Consultation
Reach out to us through our website or by phone.
Brief Pre-Screen
Our team will have a quick chat with you to make sure the program seems like a good fit.
Intake & Pre-Treatment
You'll meet with a therapist for a full intake and a few sessions to get ready for the program.
Begin Treatment here:
Your family will join the next available seasonal cohort.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ages can join the intensive?
The program is for children ages 8–12 and adolescents ages 12–18. We have separate tracks for each age group so the material is developmentally appropriate.
How long is the intensive DBT program?
Our seasonal cohorts typically run for seven weeks in a concentrated format. We'll share the exact schedule and dates with you during the consultation.
Is it virtual or in-person?
It’s a hybrid program. We have in-person options in our NYC and New Jersey locations, plus virtual components. For families in Connecticut, the program is available virtually.
Do parents participate?
Yes, absolutely. Your participation is a core part of the program. We teach you skills right alongside your child to help support lasting change at home.
What’s the difference between DBT-C and DBT-A?
DBT-C is specifically adapted for children (ages 8–12) and their families. DBT-A is tailored for adolescents (ages 12–18) and their unique challenges, and it includes a multi-family skills group.
Do you accept insurance?
We are an out-of-network provider. We don't bill insurance directly, but we give you all the paperwork you need to submit for potential reimbursement.
Can we keep our current therapist?
For the intensive program, we usually recommend consolidating care with our team to ensure consistency. It’s something we can discuss in detail during your consultation to figure out what’s best for your family.
How do we start?
Request a consultation on our website or give us a call. Our team will walk you through the screening, intake, and placement process.