Our DBT-trained clinicians help families develop new skills, coping methods and mindfulness practices, so that you have the power to replace unhealthy thoughts, improve troubling behaviors and experience calmer emotions.

A more flexible treatment track designed for Stage 3 and Stage 4 patients only, DBT Informed Therapy focuses on select components of the full program (DBT Individual + Skills Training Group) as needed by the child.

We like to think of DBT Skills Training Group as “driver’s ed” for your child’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Using a series of evidence-based DBT modules, we guide patients step-by-step through learning how to navigate their feelings and behaviors more skillfully. Groups meet on a weekly basis for 2 hours over the course of about 28 weeks. The group is often repeated to create a full 1-year program.

Individual skills coaching is our “drive time,” where your child will behaviorally rehearse a core skill approximately 1-2 times a week. Coaching sessions focus on working through DBT skills systematically to develop a greater understanding of the skills and to provide in session practice with a focus on strengthening skills. Coaching calls and texts are utilized to assist teens to use skills effectively.

The purpose of Advanced DBT Skills Group is to develop a deeper understanding and mastery of DBT skills in a life-application format. Under the guidance of a trained mentor, the group focuses on applying DBT strategies to daily living situations.

An intensive small-group or one-on-one experience led by peer-mentors who have completed six months of DBT, participate in Advanced DBT and exhibit strong leadership skills. A licensed therapist oversees these coaches and accountability is maintained through frequent supervision and training in DBT leadership skills. This service is offered for free to members of the Compass community. 

Our Mindfulness Meditation program is carefully designed to teach adolescents emotional acceptance how to live “in the moment.” The child will learn that thoughts, feelings, and body sensations can be neutral, observable experiences instead of treating their thoughts and feelings as facts that contribute to emotional hijacking. Through Mindfulness Meditation, children will understand to how to focus on the here and now to help avoid being get overwhelmed by anxiety or lapsing into self-destructive behaviors.

We follow the “Entire Family” model of treatment because the evidence show significantly improved outcomes compared to treating the child alone. This approach ensures that the family who is undergoing extreme distress and possibly malfunctioning as a result of an individual’s behavior can receive support, healing and education in order to optimize each individual’s well-being.

Grounded in the core skills of DBT, the multi-family group experience helps parents take their love and good intentions for their child to a new level. By working as a whole team, Compass clinicians teach families how to learn the DBT skills together. Our multi-family group experience is 6-7 months long and includes up to 10 families, including both parents and their child.