Some of us are born with higher levels of emotional sensitivity than others and experience emotions on a particularly profound level. These individuals are sometimes referred to as “super-sensors” or highly sensitive. There are upsides to being a super-sensor with big feelings, such as the capacity to feel compassion for others very deeply. There can also be a challenges: big emotions can sometimes be hard to handle and bear – for the child or teen and for family members.
What can individuals and families do to move toward the lives they want– lives worth living with greater emotional, behavioral and cognitive stability? What skills can make a difference? At the Institute for Girls’ Development, we offer various treatment options for coping with big feelings. In this newsletter, we’ll focus on one of those options: Dialectical Behavior Therapy – a “known-to-work” modality of treatment we offer here at the Institute.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was developed to provide skills and support to youth and adults with big feelings.
At the Institute, our DBT team provides:
- a DBT-informed program for younger girls, ages 7 – 11, called WaveRiders™
- comprehensive DBT treatment for preteens, teens, and young adults
- graduate groups for those who have completed comprehensive DBT
- a stand-alone, DBT-informed, skills-based group for managing intense emotions for young women, ages 18-28, who don’t need a full DBT comprehensive program but would benefit from selected DBT skills
If you, a family member, or another loved one is dealing with big feelings, keep reading. Then, give us a call. We can talk to you about various options here at the Institute, including the option of our comprehensive DBT program.
In gratitude,
Monica Valdivia Aguilar, M.A.,
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT #41352)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy Program Clinical Director
Recommended video:
Interested in learning more about DBT? We recommend this informative video by Dr. Esme Shaller: What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy for adolescents (DBT)?
Originally published November 2018.
