Life is hard.

We can help.

If it feels like weekly 50 minute therapy has not been enough to help you live the life you want, then this program may be for you.

  • Do your emotions often overwhelm you and you can’t quite get them under control ?

  • Are you finding yourself in frequent conflicts with friends and family?

  • Do you need more support in changing the unhealthy coping tools you’ve learned to rely on?

  • Do you wish you had someone to call, who could help you navigate coping in real time?

We’re here.  

Well Equipped For Adolescents is a virtual DBT intensive outpatient program for teens ages 13 to 17 and their caregivers.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)  is an evidence-based psychotherapy that was developed to help people deal with intense emotions. When you’re having really difficult feelings, it can lead you to make decisions based on emotions, instead of doing what might be best for you in the long run. This can land you in a negative cycle of making decisions and acting in ways you wish you hadn't, being ashamed or angry with people around you, and then feeling worse about yourself and your future.

DBT offers clear instructions on how to be effective no matter what might be happening inside.

When you’re skillful at getting what you want out of life, you end up with less bad emotions. In fact, you might even end up feeling proud of yourself, liking your friends and family more, and being excited about what might happen next. Now, that’s the kind of cycle we want to see you get into.

Next, let’s talk about intensive outpatient programs. An IOP gives you an extra level of care when weekly meetings with your therapist just aren’t going to cut it. Group therapy makes up the core of our program. In group therapy you will be invited to learn and practice skills that we think can change your life.

Well Equipped IOP runs 3 days a week, 3 hours a day and is available as a virtual program for clients living in
New York, New Jersey, California & Colorado. We know this can sound like a lot of therapy time, but we believe healing can be expedited when given the time and dedication that this program allows.

The skills

  • Do you struggle asking for what you want, setting boundaries, repairing relationships that are worth repairing, or do you just want to get better at communicating? DBT has a skill for that.

  • These skills help you know what you’re feeling (sometimes that can be confusing, amirite?). They’ll also help you act in your best interest (even when you feel like saying f it), and cultivate more good vibes (and who couldn’t use more good vibes?).

  • Ever feel like everything is out of control and nothing is ok? Maybe you’ve even ended up hurting yourself or doing something you really wish you hadn’t. Distress tolerance skills help you find possibility when everything seems hopeless.

  • Mindfulness skills help you cultivate a more mindful and accepting way of relating to yourself and the world. With practice, mindfulness can become a valuable tool for reducing emotional reactivity, enhancing self-awareness, and fostering a sense of calm, and balance.

You may have already heard of DBT or

maybe you even know some of the skills.

how is

Well Equipped For Adolescents

different?

For starters, Well Equipped For Adolescents is a

DBT ADHERENT PROGRAM

We’re not talking just learning about skills, folks.

DBT adherent treatment consists of four components:

  • Group skills training:
    At Well Equipped for Adolescents, you’ll participate in nine hours of group therapy a week. We’ll do a deep dive and teach you specific tactics to manage emotions, cope with stress, and improve relationships.

  • Individual attention:
    During weekly one-on-one case management sessions with a DBT trained therapist, you’ll focus on identifying and addressing specific challenges with new skills and perspective.

  • In the moment coaching:
    You’ll have access to a DBT therapist in between sessions, to provide support and guidance during times of crisis or when you’re struggling with a specific issue.

  • Weekly caregiver Involvement:

    Your parent or guardian will attend one day (3 hours) of programming with you per week. They’ll gain insight into your needs and even learn a skill or two themselves.

  • Consultation team:
    Know that your therapist is giving you the most effective treatment possible. They attend consultation team meetings to receive ongoing support and guidance from a DBT certified trainer.

These components work together to provide a

comprehensive and individualized approach to treatment.

You are the sky. Everything else—it’s just the weather.

Pema Chödrön