Does This Sound Like Your Teen?

Some teens feel emotions intensely and have a hard time calming down when they’re upset. Stress, disappointment, or conflict can quickly feel overwhelming. They may react strongly, shut down, or struggle to explain what they need.

You might recognize your teen if they:

• Have frequent outbursts or intense reactions
• Feel deeply hurt by criticism or rejection
• Become upset quickly, sometimes over things that seem small
• Have trouble calming down once they’re overwhelmed
• Experience frequent conflict at home
• Get anxious, shut down, or avoid situations when stress builds
• Leave you unsure how to help or what to say

These struggles don’t mean your teen is trying to be difficult, and they don’t mean you’ve failed as a parent. Teens can learn practical skills for handling strong emotions and stressful situations.

I teach DBT skills to teens and young adults, with support for parents and caregivers. Teens learn and practice tools for managing emotions, getting through hard moments, and communicating in relationships. Parents learn ways to encourage those skills at home.