Teen DBT Group

DBT Group Therapy for Teens in Ann Arbor, Michigan

What is DBT?

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a structured, evidence-based treatment that helps clients learn and practice skills to manage emotions, cope with life’s challenges, and improve relationships.

Operating out of our Ann Arbor office, Mala Child & Family Institute’s DBT group provides teens with the tools they need to thrive—in a setting where they feel safe, seen, and supported. These treatments and methods give adolescents a chance to participate with others who might be going through similar experiences and feel a sense of belonging. It also gives them a safe environment to learn and build necessary skills to support emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance. 

Our DBT group is an effective evidence-based treatment for teens (ages 13-18) seeking to:

Build & strength healthy coping strategies

Manage intense emotions

Reduce anxiety and panic attacks

Reduce depression, self-harm, and suicidality

Manage anger and impulsivity

Reduce substance abuse and risk-taking behavior

Navigate family and relationship difficulties

Heal from traumatic experiences & reduce symptoms of PTSD

What Our DBT
Program Offers

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  • Weekly 90-minute group sessions led by licensed clinicians in Ann Arbor, MI

  • Skills modules including mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness

  • A supportive peer group where teens feel seen and heard

  • Adaptations and affirming approaches for neurodivergent participants

  • Parent support to reinforce DBT skills at home

Why Choose Mala for DBT?

  • Multidisciplinary support from therapists, psychologists, and medical providers

  • Deep expertise in working with neurodivergent youth and survivors of trauma

  • Emphasis on connection, safety, and skill-building

  • Culturally responsive and LGBTQIA+ affirming care

  • BCBS, BCN, Aetna, and private pay accepted

Current Group Information

Upcoming DBT groups will be added here. If there is no current group information displayed, that is because we currently have a DBT group running or are in the process of planning our next group.

Our DBT group runs several times per year. If you are interested in future DBT groups, please enroll to be on our waitlist and we will reach out with updates about upcoming groups.

Group Participation Requirements

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To ensure a strong therapeutic experience, participants must:

  • Be between the ages of 13-18 years old, and able to commit to attending weekly session in Ann Arbor, Michigan for the full duration of the program.

  • Complete a 1-hour parent intake session to ensure both teen and parents are motivated to engage in the program and that the program is a good fit for the client’s needs.

  • Teens must engage willingly in sessions and complete skill-building homework. The more they practice, the better they get at using the skills.

  • Respect group boundaries, including refraining from contact with other members outside the group during the active cycle

Meet Your Facilitator

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Kiera Dressler-Reed, LMSW

Kiera is a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in working with teens and young adults navigating anxiety, depression, addiction, trauma, codependency, and life transitions.