How DBT Helps Children with Anxiety Cope and Thrive
When children struggle with anxiety, it can impact their sleep, relationships, school experience, and overall well-being. If you’re a parent or caregiver, you may be wondering how to help you child manage big feelings and worries. Fortunately, anxiety therapy for children offers evidence-based support and one highly effective approach is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
DBT for children helps anxious kids understand their emotions, develop healthy coping strategies, and build confidence.
What is DBT in Child Anxiety Therapy?
Originally created for adults, DBT has been adapted for children to help them manage strong emotions and improve their mental health. In anxiety therapy for kids, DBT teaches age-appropriate strategies in a fun, structured, and interactive way.
At Healing Voices Psychotherapy, we offer DBT-informed child therapy using creative tools like play, stories, visuals, and caregiver involvement to help children succeed.
The Four Core DBT Skills: Adapted For Kids With Anxiety
Mindfulness for Kids with Anxiety
Mindfulness helps children tune in to their thoughts and body sensations without judgment. This core skill is especially helpful when kids are caught in worry spirals. For example, your child learns simple techniques, like deep breathing or noticing sounds around them, to ground themselves during anxious moments.
Distress Tolerance Skills
When children feel overwhelmed, whether it's a test at school or separation anxiety, distress tolerance skills help them handle the moment without shutting down or lashing out. For example, your child uses a calm-down kit or grounding exercise to ride out anxious feelings safely.
Emotional Regulation for Children
Kids with anxiety often experience big emotions that are hard to manage. DBT teaches them how to name their feelings, understand what triggers them, and use strategies to feel more balanced. For example, your child practices saying, “I feel nervous,” and uses movement or breathing to calm their body.
Interpersonal Effectiveness
Anxiety can impact a child’s ability to speak up, ask for help, or set boundaries. DBT helps build communication skills so children can connect with others and feel more confident in relationships. For example, your child practices how to ask for a break in class when feeling overwhelmed.
Why Parents Choose DBT For Children with Anxiety
Anxiety therapy for children works best when it’s structured, engaging, and involves the family. DBT’s strength lies in its practical tools and collaborative approach. With support from therapists and caregivers, kids can build emotional strength that lasts a lifetime.
At Healing Voices Psychotherapy, we specialize in child anxiety therapy in Ontario, offering a safe, supportive environment where kids can explore their feelings, learn new skills, and feel proud of their progress.
Looking For Support?
If your child is struggling with anxiety, anxiety therapy for children using DBT can help. We’re here to help you find the right tools and support, to help your child thrive.
Book a free 15-minute consultation today and learn more about coping skills for anxious kids, how DBT can help, and what the path to healing looks like.
