Bloom: Virtual DBT for Teen Girls in Michigan
- Do you ever wonder, why is my daughter self-harming? What is causing her so much pain?
- How can I help my daughter stop self-harming without making her feel judged or alone?
- Will my daughter be okay? Is this something she can overcome with the right support?
Bloom: DBT for Teen Girls at Emerge Mental Health is a 20-week virtual program designed to help teen girls aged 13-18 overcome self-harm. It uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a proven method to manage emotions and build healthier coping strategies. Serving teen girls in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, and all of Michigan.
Issues Teen Girls Face
Teen girls often struggle with intense emotions, conflicts with family or peers, and feelings of low self-worth. These can lead to self-harm as a way to cope, with studies showing up to 30% of teen girls have intentionally harmed themselves (Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Among a Representative Sample of US Adolescents, 2015).
Teen girls are particularly vulnerable to self-harm due to a combination of biological, social, and emotional factors. Some of the key issues they face include:
- Emotional Dysregulation - Difficulty managing intense emotions, such as sadness, anger, or anxiety, which can lead to impulsive behaviors like self-harm. Research shows that emotional dysregulation is a significant risk factor, with studies indicating that teen girls are nearly twice as likely to engage in self-harm compared to boys (Teen Self-Harm Statistics in the United States - Bright Path Adolescent Mental Health).
- Interpersonal Conflicts - Struggles with relationships, including family dynamics, peer pressure, or bullying, which can trigger emotional distress. Social media and peer interactions often exacerbate these conflicts, with bullied teens being 2.47 times more likely to self-harm (Teen Self-Harm Statistics in the United States - Bright Path Adolescent Mental Health).
- Low Self-Esteem - Negative self-image and feelings of worthlessness, often exacerbated by societal expectations and body shaming, which can contribute to self-harm as a way to express pain or seek relief (Self-Injury and Youth | Mental Health America).
- Trauma and Abuse - Past experiences of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse can lead to self-harm as a maladaptive coping mechanism, with 9.7% of girls who self-harm reporting forced sexual encounters (Teen Self-Harm Statistics in the United States - Bright Path Adolescent Mental Health).
- Mental Health Disorders - Conditions like depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, or eating disorders often co-occur with self-harm, with studies showing one-third to one-half of adolescents engaging in non-suicidal self-injury (Nonsuicidal Self injury in Adolescents - PMC).
- Social and Cultural Pressures - The influence of social media, academic stress, and societal expectations can intensify feelings of isolation or inadequacy, with research showing that viewing self-harm content online can trigger behaviors (Self-Injury and Youth | Mental Health America).
How DBT Helps Teen Girls Overcome Self-Harm
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a proven, evidence-based treatment specifically designed to address the complex emotional and behavioral issues that contribute to self-harm. Here’s how DBT helps teen girls:
- Emotional Regulation - DBT teaches teen girls to identify, understand, and manage their emotions effectively. By learning to recognize triggers and develop healthier coping strategies, teens can reduce the intensity and duration of emotional episodes, decreasing the urge to self-harm. A 2023 meta-analysis confirmed DBT’s effectiveness in improving emotional regulation for adolescents (Efficacy of dialectical behavior therapy for adolescent self-harm and suicidal ideation: a systematic review and meta-analysis - PMC).
- Distress Tolerance - Through skills like distraction, self-soothing, and radical acceptance, DBT equips teens with tools to survive crises without resorting to self-harm. These techniques help them 'ride the wave' of intense emotions until they subside, as noted in DBT resources (DBT: What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy? - Child Mind Institute).
- Mindfulness - Mindfulness practices in DBT help teen girls stay present in the moment, observe their thoughts and feelings without judgment, and accept themselves as they are. This reduces negative self-talk and fosters self-compassion, counteracting low self-esteem, with studies showing significant improvements in self-awareness.
- Interpersonal Effectiveness - DBT teaches communication skills, assertiveness, and boundary-setting, enabling teen girls to navigate relationships more effectively. This reduces conflicts and the emotional distress that can trigger self-harm, with research highlighting improved family dynamics through DBT (Helping youth who self-harm - Counseling Today).
- Crisis Survival Skills - For moments when self-harm urges are strong, DBT provides specific strategies like pros and cons analysis, temperature control (e.g., holding ice), and paced breathing to help teens resist the urge without acting on it, as supported by DBT workbooks (The Power of DBT: How It Reduces Teen Self-Harm - Youth Ranch).
- Family Involvement - DBT recognizes the critical role of family in a teen’s recovery. Our program includes bi-weekly parent skills training, teaching caregivers how to support their teen’s skill use, manage their own emotional responses, and create a stable, supportive home environment, aligning with research on family-centered therapy (McLean Videos | Dialectical Behavior Therapy Approaches for Youth With High Suicide Risk).
Why Choose Bloom: DBT for Teen Girls?
Comprehensive and Evidence-Based
Backed by research, DBT has been shown to significantly reduce self-harm and suicidal behaviors in teens. A 2018 randomized clinical trial confirmed DBT’s efficacy in reducing self-harm among high-risk youth (Efficacy of Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Adolescents at High Risk for Suicide: A Randomized Clinical Trial | Pediatrics | JAMA Psychiatry).
Tailored for Teen Girls
Our program addresses the unique challenges faced by teen girls, including emotional, social, and cultural pressures.
Holistic Support
By involving both teens and their families, we ensure long-term success and generalization of skills beyond the program.
Flexible Delivery
Available online, making it accessible for families across different locations and schedules.
Benefits
- Reduced self-harm incidents and improved emotional regulation.
- Stronger relationships and increased self-confidence.
- Long-term emotional well-being through lifelong skills.
Take the First Step
If your teen daughter is struggling with self-harm, Bloom: DBT for Teen Girls offers a compassionate, evidence-based path to recovery. Our online 20-week program at Emerge Mental Health is designed to empower teen girls with the skills they need to thrive. Serving teen girls in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, and all of Michigan.
