DBT-SUD for Adolescents: Therapy In NY, NJ, and CT
DBT-SUD for Adolescent Substance Use Disorders
Adolescence (ages 12-18) can be a whirlwind of intense emotions and new challenges. When substance use becomes entangled with these struggles, DBT for Substance Use Disorders (DBT-SUD) provides hope. DBT-SUD is an adapted form of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), specifically refined to address the specific realities teens face when substance use and emotion dysregulation go hand-in-hand, thereby empowering your teen not just to cope, but to build a foundation for lasting recovery.
This Program Empowers Teens to:
Cope With Triggers & Urges: Identify and effectively respond to triggers and cravings, building a sense of control.
Strengthen Social Skills: Enhance effective communication and navigate peer pressure constructively.
Practice Mindful Awareness: Develop the skill of being present, which helps in making thoughtful rather than reactive decisions.
Regulate Intense Feelings: Learn to manage emotional ups and downs without needing to turn to substances.
Build motivation for Recovery: Connect with personal values and reasons for change, fueling their journey.
When DBT-SUD May Help
DBT-SUD is designed for adolescents who:
- Avoid emotional interactions with friends, teachers or parents.
- Struggle to stop using despite a desire to change.
- Experience deterioration of functioning in academics, friendships, or family life.
- Face co-occurring challenges like anxiety, depression, trauma, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts.
We understand that substance use often coexists with intense emotional pain, impulsive behavior, family conflict, and a history of trauma. Our approach is sensitive to these complexities and provides tailored, compassionate support.
What To Expect
Comprehensive Assessment & Pretreatment Phase:
- Intake: Adolescent 60-minute session, parents and caregivers 45-minute intake session.
- Treatment Plan: Parent/caregiver and teen 45-minute session to provide feedback and treatment planning.
- Pretreatment: Four weeks of weekly individual therapy for the teen, and four weeks of parenting sessions.
Stage 1 DBT Treatment (Approximately 30 weeks):
- Weekly Individual Therapy: 45-minute sessions with the adolescent’s primary DBT therapist.
- Weekly Multi-Family Skills Group: 75-minute sessions attended by both the adolescent and at least one caregiver, focusing on learning and practicing DBT skills.
- Weekly Parenting Sessions: 45-minute sessions to support caregivers.
- Integrated Phone Coaching: To generalize skills between sessions.
Core DBT-SUD Skills for Youth Substance Recovery
Our program teaches four essential skill sets adapted specifically for adolescents:
The Metro NY DBT Difference: DBT-SUD for Adolescents
Choosing Metro NY DBT Center for your adolescent’s treatment means selecting a program dedicated to providing comprehensive, evidence-based care. Our passionate group of skilled clinicians emphasize optimization in the following areas:
Dual-Focus Expertise & Integrated Treatment

Our clinicians are skilled in addressing the intricate link between substance use and emotion dysregulation. We are committed to a process that treats these issues concurrently rather than in isolation, ensuring a path to recovery and emotional well-being which comprehensively targets both the behaviors linked to substance use and their underlying emotional drivers.
Evidence-Based Treatment
At Metro NY DBT Center, our DBT-SUD program is firmly grounded in evidence-based methods. We adhere to practices supported by current research, ensuring that your adolescent receives the highest quality of care rooted in interventions proven effective for these specific challenges.
Adolescent-Centered & Developmentally Appropriate

We recognize that adolescence is a unique developmental stage. Our interventions and therapeutic strategies are customized to resonate with an adolescent's cognitive, emotional, and social experience. This ensures the skills and support offered are relevant, engaging, and effective for young clients.
Collaborative Family Systems
We understand that an adolescent's journey to recovery is significantly enhanced by family involvement. Our DBT-SUD program embraces a family systems perspective, actively incorporating caregivers through education, skills training, and dedicated support. This empowers the entire family to understand and utilize DBT principles, fostering a supportive home environment conducive to lasting change.
Payment Information & Insurance Structure
Metro NY DBT Center does not participate directly with insurance panels and is considered an
"out-of-network" provider. Clients are responsible for payment at the time of service and for submitting invoices to their insurance companies to seek out-of-network reimbursement benefits.
We encourage you to check with your insurance provider about your out-of-network mental health coverage. Some clients discuss "single case agreements" with their insurance. While claim denials can occur, a "Medical Necessity Letter," which we can help discuss, may be useful in the appeals process. Please let us know if we can assist you with understanding this process.
Insurance Structure for DBT-SUD Services
(Please note: Specific program components may vary. This is a general structure based on adolescent services. We will clarify the full program structure and fees during your consultation).
Assessment:
75-minute Intake session with child/adolescent (one-time): (Insurance CPT Code: 90791)
45-minute Parent intake session (one-time):
(Insurance CPT Code: 90834)
45-minute feedback session (insurance CPT Code: 90834)
Treatment Sessions:
45-minute Individual child therapy sessions (weekly): (Insurance CPT 90834)
45-minute Parenting sessions (weekly):
(Insurance CPT Code 90849)
75-minute Multifamily Skills Group (weekly):
(Insurance Code 90849)
Our Commitment to Consistent and Effective Care
We believe that consistency and active engagement are crucial for successful therapy.
- Attendance: Regular attendance at scheduled appointments for both child and caregiver is expected. Clients should be on time and, for virtual sessions, able to be seen on Zoom.
- Cancellation Policy: We have a 24-hour cancellation policy for individual sessions. If you provide more than 24 hours notice, you will not be charged. Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice will be charged the full session fee.
- Missed Sessions: If four consecutive individual sessions are missed, the client may be discharged from the program, with referrals provided for alternative services. Clients may reapply for treatment after three months.
Get In Touch Today
If your child is struggling with substance use alongside emotional challenges, our DBT-SUD program offers a path toward meaningful recovery and healthier coping strategies.
Contact Metro NY DBT Center today to schedule your consultation, connect with us about any questions you have, or to start the process of enrolling your adolescent into the program:
Visit our Contact Page: Click Here
Frequently Asked Questions About Youth DBT-SUD
How is DBT-SUD different from traditional substance use treatment for adolescents?
By teaching concrete coping skills and addressing emotional dysregulation, we help young people develop sustainable recovery strategies rather than simply focusing on stopping the behavior.
What about confidentiality between my teen and their therapist?
We maintain a crucial balance between respecting your adolescent’s privacy and ensuring their safety.
Your teen will have a confidential therapeutic relationship with their individual therapist.
However, limits to confidentiality—particularly regarding safety risks such as, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, or life-threatening substance use, will be clearly explained to both you and your teen at the start of treatment.
Our goal is to foster transparency and build trust within the entire family system.
How long does DBT-SUD last?
The initial Stage 1 of our DBT-SUD program for adolescents typically lasts approximately 30 weeks.
This comprehensive phase includes weekly individual therapy sessions, weekly multi-family skills group sessions, and ongoing parenting sessions as needed, along with integrated phone coaching.
How do I know if my teen needs DBT-SUD?
DBT-SUD may be beneficial for adolescents (ages 12-18) whose substance use has progressed to concerning patterns, especially when used to manage difficult and overwhelming emotions. It's also appropriate if substance use negatively impacts academic performance or relationships, or if your adolescent struggles to stop despite wanting to.
The program also helps adolescents dealing with co-occurring anxiety, depression, self-harm behaviors, suicidal thoughts, and family conflict, alongside substance use.
Do you provide support for parents and caregivers too?
Yes, parental and caregiver involvement is a crucial component of our DBT-SUD program. We embrace a family systems perspective, actively incorporating caregivers through education, skills training in the weekly multi-family skills group, and dedicated ongoing parenting sessions as needed. This approach empowers the entire family to understand and utilize DBT, we also have DBT services for adults.