Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for Children & Pre-Adolescents

Just like adults, children have good days and bad days. We expect a child to get angry, upset or irritable now and then. However, some children frequently experience intense emotions and may feel angry or irritable almost every day of the week. A child who often feels overwhelmed by emotion might regularly experience anger outbursts or behave impulsively.If your child has frequent outbursts, you might be wondering how to deal with a child with anger issues and if child anger management therapy even exists. How do you know when childhood behavior is something that needs to be addressed by a professional?If you do not know what to do or where to begin, you are not alone. Coping with challenging behaviors and emotions is not easy for the parent or the child, but there’s hope – no matter the cause of the behavior.For example, you might consider dialectical behavior therapy for children (DBT-C). DBT-C aims to help parents work with their child in learning helpful coping skills. DBT-C is a relatively new treatment program for children, but it is an effective option. Through DBT-C, children learn DBT coping skills so they can handle strong emotions and enjoy their time with friends and family.

DBT-C has been modified to suit the developmental levels of preadolescent children. Older children and young adults might consider regular DBT treatment to address challenges with emotion regulation and harmful behavior patterns