Dialectical Behavior Therapy in Michigan for Teens and Families
McCaskill Family Services provides Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for teens and families seeking proven strategies to manage intense emotions, reduce harmful behaviors, and build stronger relationships. Offered in both individual and group formats, our DBT services are available online throughout Michigan and in person at our Plymouth and Brighton offices. The program is ideal for teens (ages 13–18) struggling with anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, or self-harm — and includes a structured, 8-week skills group led by licensed psychologists.
What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an empirically supported treatment that teaches skills and strategies to help regulate emotions and improve relationships. Many of our McCaskill therapists utilize DBT therapy techniques in individual therapy, but sometimes, a more intensive or group intervention is the best treatment option. McCaskill Family Services offers DBT therapy online and in group classes to help improve the quality of life for those with mental health struggles such as borderline personality disorder, social anxiety, depression, suicidal behaviors, and more.
DBT Skills List
There are four main categories of DBT skills that a DBT therapist focuses on. These are mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Mindfulness
A practice commonly used by Buddhists, mindfulness aims to slow down the mind by drawing attention to the present. When we learn to focus on the here and now, we pay less attention to past mistakes or future worries.
Distress Tolerance
One of DBT’s core focuses is to help individuals handle significant distress in their everyday lives. You’ll learn to develop skills to deal with such discomforts.
Emotion Regulation
DBT provides education on the importance of emotions. Once you know how they work, you can learn to manage them instead of them managing you.
Interpersonal Effectiveness
Relationships are one of the most stressful (but rewarding) parts of our lives. Interpersonal effectiveness is a DBT skill that helps people create and maintain healthy relationships with others by learning how to better communicate and navigate conflict.
Online Counseling Services Available For Patients Throughout Michigan
- Meet with a licensed psychologist by phone or video
- Teletherapy is safe and private & follows all HIPPA guidelines
Teen Anxiety and Depression DBT Skills Group
f you or your teen is struggling with anxiety, depression, or relationship difficulties and is currently working with an individual therapist, our DBT Skills Group may be a helpful addition to individual therapy. We will work with you or your teen’s therapist to ensure the best possible care. No current individual therapist? Our skilled psychologists at McCaskill Family Services are accepting new patients and are uniquely able to work with the group therapists to integrate services.
Group therapy is an incredibly effective format for teaching DBT skills because it allows users to practice new skills and coping strategies while connecting to others facing similar difficulties.
DBT can be done in both individual and group formats. Many experienced clinicians at McCaskill Family Services in both the Brighton and Plymouth locations can provide DBT in individual sessions.
Who would benefit from Dialectical Behavior Therapy from McCaskill Family Services?
Older children, teens, young adults, and adults with:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Bipolar Disorder
- Self-Harm
- Suicidal Ideation
- Anger
In-Person DBT Skills Group for Teens: Now Including Parent Training!
This in-person, 8-week DBT group is designed specifically for teens and is led by Dr. Amanda Klingensmith, Ph.D., a fully licensed clinical psychologist, and Jaclyn Rink, M.S., LLP. Teens will learn all four core DBT modules, and parents will also receive guidance and support to reinforce these skills at home — making this a truly family-centered program.
UPCOMING DATES:
Please call our office at 734-416-9098 for the latest enrollment schedule and availability.
Is Your Teen’s Anxiety & Depression Becoming Even Harder for Them to Deal With?
Since the rise of the internet and social media, rates of teen anxiety and depression have steadily increased. Today, most teens report experiencing some level of emotional distress — and many are struggling to cope with overwhelming thoughts and feelings.
That’s why now, more than ever, learning practical skills through Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) can make a real difference.
Our Teen DBT Skills Group teaches:
- Mindfulness
- Distress tolerance
- Emotion regulation
- Interpersonal effectiveness
These core DBT skills help teens better manage emotions, reduce impulsive behaviors, and improve relationships.
Group therapy is an especially effective format for teaching DBT skills because it allows users to practice new skills and coping strategies while connecting to others facing similar difficulties. Our DBT Skills Group may be a valuable addition to individual therapy. We will work with your teen’s individual therapist to ensure the best possible care.
Cost: Total cost for this group is US $175.00/day ($1400 for the full 8-week session)
Led by fully licensed Clinical Psychologist Dr. Amanda Klingensmith and Jaclyn Rink, MSCP, LLP
Please call our office at (734) 416-9098 or email office@mccaskillfamilyservices.com to register now. Teens ages 13-18 only. Each teen must have an individual therapist. Registration is on a first-come basis. We only offer a limited number of spots to ensure personalized attention, support, and guidance.
Each group runs for 8 weekly sessions for 90 minutes each session. Each 90-minute session is billed as a group therapy session with a Licensed Ph.D. Psychologist. Since we are out-of-network providers, we will provide receipts you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.
DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOR THERAPY
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you offer DBT therapy for teens near me?
Yes. We offer DBT therapy for teens in Plymouth, MI, and also provide online sessions across the state. Whether you prefer in-person or virtual care, our DBT skills group online option makes it easy to participate from anywhere in Michigan.
What are the benefits of DBT therapy?
Research has shown that DBT therapy significantly helps individuals reduce self-harming behaviors, improve emotional control, and build stronger relationships. Specific benefits include:
- Fewer incidents of self-harm and suicidal thoughts
- Reduced anger and impulsive behaviors
- Better management of anxiety and depression symptoms
- Improved interpersonal skills and communication
- Lower hospitalization and crisis intervention rates
- Increased self-awareness, emotional resilience, and quality of life
DBT gives clients a practical toolkit for navigating emotional challenges—skills that can be life-changing, especially for teens or adults who have felt stuck in cycles of distress.
What can I expect when participating in DBT?
DBT is a structured and skills-based approach that requires active participation. Clients are expected to:
- Attend weekly individual or group therapy sessions
- Practice newly learned skills outside of sessions through assigned homework
- Track emotions and behaviors using worksheets or diary cards
- Participate in role-playing or mindfulness exercises during group
While it can be emotionally challenging, the therapy environment is supportive and goal-oriented. Most participants begin to notice more control over their emotional responses and an improved ability to cope with daily stressors. In group sessions like our DBT skills group online or in-person programs, teens especially benefit from practicing in a peer-supported environment.
How much does the DBT program cost?
Each 90-minute group session is billed as out-of-network group therapy with a Ph.D.-level psychologist. We provide a detailed receipt that you can submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement. Please contact our office for full pricing details.
Benefits of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
