Big Feelings, Better Skills: How DBT Helps Kids Manage Emotions Anywhere
Children experience big emotions long before they have the language or skills to manage them. When those emotions overwhelm their nervous system, the result can look like frequent meltdowns, aggression, withdrawal, or a full-blown tantrum that seems to come out of nowhere. These are signs that a child needs stronger emotional coping skills and support with self-regulation.
When Emotions Turn Into Challenging Behaviors
Children who struggle with impulsivity, emotional outbursts, or intense reactions are often having difficulty regulating their emotions. You may notice behaviors such as hitting, yelling, refusal, shutdowns, or explosive reactions to small frustrations. These patterns often emerge when children feel flooded by difficult feelings like anger, sadness, fear, or shame.
In some cases, children grow up in an invalidating environment, where emotions are dismissed or punished rather than understood. Over time, kids may learn that their feelings are “wrong,” which increases emotional intensity and reduces coping ability. Without support, this can interfere with healthy emotional development and peer relationships.
What Is DBT Therapy for Kids?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based approach that teaches concrete skills for managing emotions, behaviors, and relationships. While DBT was originally developed for adults, it has been thoughtfully adapted for children using age-appropriate language, visuals, and practice.
DBT helps kids learn how to:
Notice emotions before they take over
Slow down impulsive reactions
Cope with distress without acting out
Communicate needs effectively
Rather than focusing on punishment or control, DBT emphasizes skill-building, validation, and growth. Children learn that their feelings make sense and that they can also learn new ways to respond.
Core DBT Skills Children Learn
One foundational DBT skill is mindfulness. Mindfulness teaches children to notice thoughts, feelings, and body sensations without judgment. This helps children pause instead of reacting automatically.
Another essential area is distress tolerance, which teaches kids how to get through intense emotional moments safely. Skills might include breathing exercises, grounding techniques, movement, or sensory tools that help calm the body.
DBT also supports anger management by helping kids recognize early signs of anger and choose coping strategies before emotions escalate. Over time, these skills build emotional flexibility and resilience, allowing children to recover more quickly from setbacks.
Many DBT programs also align closely with social-emotional learning (SEL), supporting skills like empathy, emotional awareness, and problem-solving that children use at school and at home.
What Parents Can Do At Home
Parents play a powerful role in reinforcing DBT skills outside of therapy. Helpful strategies include:
Validating emotions before addressing behavior (“I see you’re upset”)
Modelling calm coping strategies during stressful moments
Practising skills when your child is calm, not only during crises
Using consistent language for emotions and coping tools
Praising effort, not perfection
When parents respond with understanding and structure, children feel safer practising new skills, even when emotions run high.
How Healing Voices Psychotherapy Can Help
At Healing Voices Psychotherapy, we specialize in DBT-informed therapy for children and families. Our RP Ishara Ramroop creates a warm, supportive space where kids can learn practical coping skills they can use anywhere.
If your child is struggling with big emotions or challenging behaviors, DBT may be a powerful step forward. Contact us to book your free 15-minute consultation today and learn more about our DBT services for children.
