Therapy Types

DBT-Informed Skills

A skills-based approach that helps children and teens manage intense emotions, tolerate distress, and build healthier relationships.

Skills for Managing What Feels Overwhelming

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) offers practical skills for managing intense emotions, navigating difficult situations, and strengthening relationships. At Little Waves, DBT-informed skills are integrated into individual therapy in a developmentally appropriate way, helping children and teens build tools they can use in real-life situations.

This may include skills related to mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, depending on the individual's needs and goals.

DBT is based on the belief that you can learn to change even when change feels impossible and that acceptance and growth can happen at the same time.

In Practice

The Four Core DBT Skill Areas

1
Mindfulness
The foundation of DBT: learning to notice thoughts, feelings, and sensations without judgment, and to stay present in the moment rather than being swept away.
2
Distress Tolerance
Skills for surviving crisis moments without making things worse: how to get through intense emotional pain without acting in ways you'll regret.
3
Emotional Regulation
Understanding and managing emotions: reducing vulnerability to emotional reactivity, and changing emotions that are getting in the way of a good life.
4
Interpersonal Effectiveness
Navigating relationships skillfully: asking for what you need, setting limits, and maintaining self-respect even in difficult interactions.
Who May Benefit
  • Teens with intense emotional reactions
  • Emotional dysregulation and frequent mood swings
  • Relationship difficulties and interpersonal conflict
  • Impulsive behaviour and poor distress tolerance
  • Depression and anxiety in teens
  • Teens who feel misunderstood or like emotions control them

Little Waves Therapy is not a crisis or DBT-intensive program. If your teen is in crisis, please contact a crisis line or emergency services.

Get Started

Help your teen build emotional skills

We offer a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation for new clients: a chance to connect, ask questions, and see if we're the right fit.

Book a Free Consultation

Secure booking via Jane App · 15 minutes · No obligation