The DBT Workbook for Teens: Mindfulness and Emotion Regulation Techniques for Overcoming Stress and Negative Thoughts

Life as a teenager can feel like getting on a wild roller-coaster ride, not knowing when the next unexpected twist or turn will come. But there’s only so much uncertainty one can take before becoming… sick.Teens need support now more than ever before to manage the transitions that come with adolescence, but not the kind of support where mom and dad are constantly in their ear!They are in search of helpful resources that they can pursue on their own, which can provide the appropriate psychological skills to cope with everyday life stressors.The DBT Workbook for Teensis the perfect resource to help your child, aged 13–19, learn effective stress management techniques at their own pace.Borrowing from the work of the founder of dialectical behavioral therapy, Dr. Marsha Linehan, the workbook presents four core DBT skills: mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.Each skill promises to teach your child valuable coping strategies:Mindfulnessseeks to identify and let go of unwanted thoughts and emotions,emotional regulationteaches how to describe and observe strong emotions without being taken by them,distress tolerancestrengthens emotional resilience in the face of challenges, andinterpersonal effectivenesspromotes self-respect and setting healthy boundaries.Some of the critical lessons your child will learn include:How to break free from cycles of overthinking, and mindfully shift their focus onto the present moment.How to self-soothe and de-escalate stressful situations at school or at home through exercises like deep breathing and meditation.Steps to recognize, manage, and accept overpowering emotions, and take the opposite action with skills like “ABC PLEASE.”How to nurture relationships with effective communication and resolve conflict with skills like “DEAR MAN.”The aim of this workbook is to teach young people different ways to cope with stress, whether it be through calming their minds, regulating their emotions, or learning how to express their thoughts and feelings