DBT-C Bethesda
DBT-C in Bethesda, MD
Childhood plays a vital role in human development and requires careful nurturing and support.
For parents in search of effective strategies to help their children manage intense emotions and behaviors, DBT-C Bethesda presents a valuable resource.
Tailored explicitly for young individuals facing emotional dysregulation, DBT-C in Bethesda provides an evidence-based approach to address issues such as impulsive actions, tantrums, rigid thinking patterns, and extreme verbal or physical responses.
Our DBT-C Bethesda program is designed to equip children with the necessary skills for emotional regulation, fostering healthier relationships, and encouraging positive behavioral adjustments. Our skilled therapists are committed to uncovering your child’s inherent strengths and guiding them toward acquiring the strategies required for a more joyful and well-adjusted future.
For those aiming to enhance their child’s emotional and behavioral health, exploring DBT-C in Bethesda might be the step forward you’ve been seeking.
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Our DBT-C Therapists in Bethesda
Melissa Melendez, LMSW, LGSW
Melissa is a licensed social worker in Maryland and Washington, DC. Melissa is passionate about providing individual and family therapy to children, adolescents, and young adults experiencing trauma, anxiety, and ...
Heather McMullen, LCSW-C
Heather is a Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical and a Board Certified Music Therapist. She provides services through individual therapy, group therapy, and parent support/coaching. She primarily utilizes strengths-based interventions, attachment ...
Brooke Shafer, LCPC/LPC
Winner of the Best of Bethesda in Child and Adolescent Counseling for 2024 Brooke has previously worked in Elementary and Middle Schools and in mental health crisis situations, specializing in ...
Understanding DBT-C
Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Children (DBT-C) in Bethesda retains the core principles of traditional DBT while being specially tailored in two significant aspects to suit the developmental needs of your child.
The adaptations that set DBT-C apart from DBT for adults include:
Parental Involvement and Training
A critical aspect of DBT-C Bethesda involves comprehensive training for parents. The aim is to empower parents with strategies to manage their child’s difficult behaviors and to mirror the lessons their child is learning. By doing so, parents transform into their child’s mentors, reinforcing the skills learned in therapy through daily practice at home, thereby fostering a nurturing and stable environment for the child’s growth.
Customized Child-Friendly Sessions
Therapy sessions within DBT-C are meticulously crafted to captivate and benefit children. Employing kid-friendly resources, such as animated content or interactive games, and engaging techniques like role-playing, we make certain that your child finds the therapy process relatable and impactful. These approaches not only make therapy enjoyable for your child but also facilitate a deeper understanding and application of the skills being imparted.
Our DBT-C sessions in Bethesda are developed with the entire family in mind, ensuring that children are supported and guided appropriately both within and outside the therapeutic setting.
Is DBT-C Right for My Child?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Children (DBT-C) in Bethesda is tailored to meet the diverse challenges that pre-adolescents encounter.
DBT-C Bethesda can assist if your child is dealing with issues such as:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Behavioral challenges
- Eating disorders
- Emotional volatility or outbursts
- Low self-esteem
- Self-harm or engaging in risky behaviors
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Experiencing grief and loss
- Familial conflicts
- Difficulties with sleep
- Sibling rivalry
- Experiences of bullying
- Effects of parental divorce
Acknowledging that each child is distinct, with their own set of traits and requirements, our DBT-C therapists in Bethesda offer customized strategies and support to empower your children in navigating and surmounting their specific hurdles.
Exploring How DBT-C Can Help
Childhood marks a journey of rapid growth and pivotal transformations. Navigating this phase, many children struggle to control their emotions, encountering obstacles that may feel insurmountable.
As caregivers, we aim to create a warm and supportive home environment that encourages our children’s development, learning, and personal growth. However, there are times when our children require additional support.
When your child encounters life’s hurdles, age-specific counseling that respects their developmental stage and cognitive capacity can offer them the tools needed to overcome these challenges. Children often find it hard to regulate their feelings and articulate their emotions, leading them to express their anxiety in distressing ways.
As a child matures, these concerns can escalate, negatively affecting various parts of their life. This escalation can complicate their ability to socialize, potentially give rise to aggressive behaviors, and contribute to feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression.
At the Counseling Center of Bethesda, our commitment lies in nurturing your child’s development and well-being. Our DBT-C Bethesda team is ready to provide your child with the strategies necessary for improved self-management, emotional regulation, and decision-making.
Book an Appointment for DBT-C in Bethesda
The early years of childhood come with challenges, and though some children manage these obstacles well, others may require additional support.
Should you feel your child might gain from DBT-C Bethesda, we encourage you to schedule a consultation or contact us to get started.
