DBT Skills in Schools
MODALITY: curriculum
Explicit instructions for teaching the skills—mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness—are provided in 30 lesson plans, complete with numerous reproducibles: 99 handouts, a diary card, and three student tests. Training and lesson plans for the delivery of DBT Skills in Schools is included in the manual and is also available through the developers of DBT Skills in Schools. Go to the DBT Skills in Schools site to register for training or order the manual. Available trainings can be found via the banner at the top of their page.
Summary
Skills Training for Emotional Problem Solving for Adolescents (DBT STEPS-A). Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills have been demonstrated to be effective in helping adolescents manage difficult emotional situations, cope with stress, and make better decisions. From leading experts in DBT and school-based interventions, this unique manual offers the first nonclinical application of DBT skills. The book presents an innovative social-emotional learning curriculum designed to be taught by general education teachers or other school personnel in grades 6-12. Explicit instructions for teaching the skills—mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness—are provided in 30 lesson plans, complete with numerous reproducibles: 99 handouts, a diary card, and three student tests.
Implementation
Program Material Cost
$45 per teacher (manual)
Modality
Classroom Curriculum
Setting
Ideally, health and wellness classes. However, it can be taught in any class or as a stand alone class.
Grade Level(s)
Middle
High
Rubric and Standards
Mental Health Literacy Components
Decreasing stigma
Understanding how to foster and maintain positive mental health
Understanding how to seek help effectively
Understanding mental health disorders and their treatments
High School Learning Standards
Advocate for reducing stigma associated with emotional and mental and behavioral health
Compare & contrast emotional, mental-behavioral illness, mental well-being and concurrent disorders
Describe how self-harm or suicide impacts other people
Describe laws related to minors accessing mental health care
Explain how to help someone who is thinking about attempting suicide
Identify school and community resources that can help a person with emotional, mental and behavioral health concerns
Evidence
Publication Types
1 Peer-Reviewed Publication
Study Types
Quasi-Experimental
Study Samples
72 female Irish High School Students (15-16 years old)
Major Findings
For students receiving DBT STEPS-A intervention, there was a significant improvement with respect to two of the four outcome measures (Emotion Symptom Index and Internalising Problems). A statistically significant treatment effect for Emotion Symptom Index and Internalising Problems was also reported (p<.0125).
Published Studies
Published
Study Type
Sample
Findings
Significant reductions on measures which assess constructs including depression, anxiety and social stress were found for the intervention group (DBT skills group). The results suggest that DBT STEPS-A may yield positive effects for adolescents who complete the intervention. Feedback from adolescents and teachers suggests that refinement of content, structure and implementation may make the program more accessible to an adolescent population