DBT for Children in Tennessee and Florida
We offer DBT-C, a specialized adaptation of Dialectical Behavior Therapy for children ages 7 to 12, at our Franklin, TN and Palm Beach Gardens, FL locations, with telehealth available throughout both states.
What Is DBT-C?
DBT-C is an evidence-based adaptation of Dialectical Behavior Therapy designed specifically for children in middle childhood. While standard DBT was developed for adults, DBT-C adapts the skills, language, and structure to match a child's developmental stage.
The key adaptations include:
Skills presented through games, stories, and age-appropriate activities
A central role for parents, who participate in treatment as active co-therapists
A simplified emotional vocabulary that children can understand and use
A slower pace that allows children to practice skills across settings, including home and school
Who DBT-C Is For
DBT-C is designed for children who show significant difficulties with emotion regulation. Common presentations include:
Intense and prolonged emotional outbursts disproportionate to the situation
Self-harm behaviors, including hitting oneself or head-banging
Explosive anger or rapid mood shifts
Extreme difficulty tolerating frustration or disappointment
Difficulty recovering after emotional upset
Persistent patterns of defiance driven by emotional overwhelm
DBT-C may also be appropriate for children with early signs of Borderline Personality Disorder features, those with co-occurring anxiety or depression, and children whose behaviors have not improved with other approaches.
The Parent Role in DBT-C
One of the most important aspects of DBT-C is the central involvement of parents and caregivers. Children at this age cannot generalize skills on their own. Parents attend sessions, learn the same skills their child is learning, and practice applying them at home.
This is not family therapy in the traditional sense. The goal is to create a consistent therapeutic environment across all settings where the child spends time. A child who learns to label emotions and use distress tolerance skills in session needs parents who reinforce and model those same strategies at home for the treatment to work.
Parents also work on reducing unintentional reinforcement of problem behaviors and building an environment that promotes skill use.
What to Expect From DBT-C Treatment
DBT-C treatment at EBT Collaborative follows a structured course that typically runs between six months and one year. Treatment includes:
Individual therapy sessions with the child
Parent coaching sessions to build skills and address home dynamics
Combined sessions where parent and child practice skills together
Coordination with schools or other providers when clinically appropriate
The four core DBT skill areas are adapted into child-friendly language and taught progressively: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
DBT for Children in Tennessee and Florida
Our Franklin, TN office serves children in Williamson County, Brentwood, Spring Hill, and the greater Nashville area. Our Palm Beach Gardens, FL office serves Palm Beach County. Telehealth is available for families in Tennessee and Florida who prefer remote sessions or are located farther from our offices.
Learn more about our Franklin, TN location or our Palm Beach Gardens location, or visit our team page to see the clinicians who specialize in working with children.
Getting Help for Your Child Starts With a Conversation
If your child is struggling with intense emotions and you are wondering whether DBT-C might be the right fit, we would be glad to talk through the options with you.
