West Ridge Academy's therapeutic treatment program utilizes a Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills model.
DBT is a type of cognitive-based therapy that focuses on developing four main skills sets:
- Mindfulness: Developing the ability to fully experience the present moment without preoccupation on the past or fear of the future.
- Emotion Regulation: Learning how to label, understand, and control emotions.
- Distress Tolerance: Pulling together a collection of coping skills that help you deal with stress in a healthy way.
- Interpersonal Effectiveness: Improving personal relationships through assertive and healthy communication.
Stated in everyday terms, DBT Skills can help adolescents to better control their mood, avoid unhealthy habits and addictions related to substance abuse, sex, or self-harm, get along better with parents and peers, and experience an overall feeling of improved well-being and life satisfaction.