You’re a parent, and here’s a story of a kid named Charlie, who’s living the whole DBT for kids journey.
- Charlie was a 10-year-old who often had very big, hard-to-handle reactions to small things.
- His parents, feeling overwhelmed, sought help and learned about DBT-C.
- After an initial parent-training phase in DBT-C, his family began attending therapy sessions together.
- In therapy, Charlie learned strategies to cope with his strong emotions, such as counting to ten before reacting, using a ‘feeling thermometer’ to rate his emotions, and even some simple mindfulness practices.
- Sure enough, with the help of DBT-C, Charlie became better at handling his emotions, his reactions lessened in intensity, and his family life became more peaceful.
Here’s a snapshot of Charlie’s journey:
| Before DBT-C |
After DBT-C |
| Big reactions to small things |
Improved emotion regulation |
| Overwhelmed parents |
Parents equipped with strategies to help Charlie |
| Disruptive family environment |
Peaceful and supportive family atmosphere |
Remember, like Charlie’s, every child’s DBT journey is unique. But with time, patience, and the right tools, things can get better.