Why Dialectical Behavior Therapy is a Game-Changer for Adolescents with PTSD
Written by, Tracey Gerlach, MAPP, CTRS
When it comes to trauma, especially in adolescents, finding the right approach can be a challenge. Many young people struggling with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can feel like their world is spiraling out of control. Emotions are intense, memories can be overwhelming, and it’s not always easy for them to understand or express what they’re going through. That’s where Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) comes in—a powerful tool for helping adolescents regain control and move forward after trauma.
What is DBT, and Why Is It Helpful for Adolescents with Trauma?
DBT was originally developed to treat borderline personality disorder, but its benefits have been widely recognized for other mental health conditions, including PTSD. Dialectical Behavior Therapy focuses on teaching essential life skills—like emotional regulation, mindfulness, and distress tolerance—that are often difficult for any adolescent, but especially those who’ve experienced trauma.
One of the biggest challenges for adolescents with trauma is the rollercoaster of intense emotions and reactions. After experiencing trauma, the brain can get stuck in survival mode, leading to extreme emotional responses and difficulty trusting others.
One of the reasons standard DBT works so well for adolescents is that it’s practical and skill based. Rather than spending time talking about what went wrong in the past (which can be tough for young people to articulate), DBT focuses on what they can do right now to feel better. Additionally, the inclusion of group sessions allows adolescents to gain support from peers who are experiencing similar challenges. Adolescents appreciate the concrete, actionable steps they can take to manage their emotions and behaviors, and this makes DBT feel more accessible to them.
Additionally, DBT therapy’s balance between acceptance and change is key for adolescents with PTSD, implementing DBT techniques alongside exposure therapy that acknowledges their pain while giving them the tools to move forward. For young people who might feel hopeless or stuck in their trauma, this approach offers a way to heal without feeling pressured to “get over it” too quickly.
How DBT for PTSD Helps Adolescents
1. Mindfulness: Grounding in the Present
For adolescents with PTSD, it’s common to feel haunted by traumatic memories and triggers. DBT’s mindfulness skills teach teens how to focus on the present moment, highlighting the components of DBT that help them pull their attention away from distressing intrusive thoughts or memories. Mindfulness practices also help adolescents become more aware of their feelings and reactions, so instead of avoiding or feeling overwhelmed by their emotions, they learn how to notice and accept them without judgment.
2. Emotional Regulation: Managing Intense Emotions
Emotion regulation is one of the core areas DBT addresses, particularly in the context of PTSD. PTSD can make it hard for young people to understand and manage their feelings. Adolescents with trauma and emotional abuse often experience heightened emotional responses like anger, sadness, or fear, which can spiral into behaviors that harm their well-being. Skills like identifying what triggers emotional reactions and using strategies to calm down can make a world of difference. By learning how to regulate their emotions, teens can regain a sense of self-control.
3. Distress Tolerance: Coping with Pain in a Healthy Way
For many teens dealing with PTSD, there are moments when their emotional pain and emotional distress feel too overwhelming to bear. This is where DBT’s distress tolerance skills come into play. Instead of turning to harmful behaviors (like self-harm or substance use) to escape their pain, DBT teaches healthy coping mechanisms to endure difficult emotions and situations. Skills like “self-soothing” and “distraction” help adolescents manage moments of crisis without making things worse for themselves falling into a downward spiral. Over time, they learn that while pain is part of life, it doesn’t have to consume or control them.
4. Interpersonal Effectiveness: Building Stronger Relationships
Trauma often damages a young person’s sense of trust in others which can lead to strained relationships with family and friends. DBT’s interpersonal effectiveness skills help adolescents with PTSD rebuild healthy relationships and meaningful connections. They learn how to communicate more effectively, set boundaries, and express their needs without escalating conflict. This can be incredibly empowering for teens, as it not only improves their relationships but also gives them the confidence to advocate for themselves in all areas of their lives.
How Parents Can Support the DBT Process
It’s important for parents to understand that DBT is a long-term process—teens won’t see results overnight, but with patience and practice, the skills they learn can be life-changing.
Encouraging open communication, supporting the generalization of DBT skills (like practicing mindfulness or coping strategies), and fostering a non-judgmental environment are all ways parents can help their teens succeed. Mental health professionals, meanwhile, provide guidance, adjust treatment plans to fit individual needs, and collaborate closely with parents to ensure the best outcomes.
For adolescents, DBT for PTSD offers a path toward healing that’s both empowering and practical. By focusing on building essential life skills, DBT helps young people manage their emotions, cope with distress, and rebuild trust in themselves and others after a traumatic event. If you’re a parent or a mental health professional, considering DBT for an adolescent struggling with trauma could make a profound difference in their recovery journey.
Is Your Teen Struggling with PTSD? A Sunrise Residential DBT Program Can Help
At Sunrise Residential, our DBT program for PTSD offers adolescents a path to healing that is both empowering and practical. By focusing on building essential life skills, teens can learn to manage their emotions, cope with distress, and rebuild trust in themselves and others. Contact us today to learn more about our DBT programs and help your teen create real-life change today.
