Dr Jessica Brumm-Larson1, Ms. Julia Pawlowski1, Mr. Michael Liuzzi1
1Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, United States, 2Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, United States
Biography:
Jessica Brumm-Larson, PhD (she/her) is an assistant professor of pediatrics at Medical College of Wisconsin and licensed psychologist for Children's Hospital of Wisconsin where she provides psychological assessments and cognitive-behavioral therapeutic interventions with a focus on dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills for adolescents and their caregivers. Dr. Brumm-Larson enjoys supporting medical providers and caregivers with mind-body medicine skills and is a certified yoga teacher (RYT-200).
Abstract:
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a mindfulness-based cognitive-behavioral treatment originally developed to support adults with borderline personality disorder. Several studies have demonstrated the efficacy of DBT in improving mental health outcomes for adolescents, particularly those at high risk for self-harm and suicidal behaviors. Moreover, adolescent DBT has the potential for transdiagnostic applicability, with research demonstrating improvements for individuals with depression, anxiety, substance use, and eating disorders.
Multi-family DBT skills training groups are a main treatment modality of comprehensive adolescent DBT. DBT skills modules include Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, Interpersonal Effectiveness, and Walking the Middle Path (for adolescent groups) and generally focus on building acceptance-oriented skills or change-oriented skills. Research indicates that DBT skills training alone can lead to significant improvements in emotional regulation and reductions in self-harm behaviors. Adolescent DBT skills groups differ from adult DBT skills groups in that the material is developmentally adapted for adolescents and the groups include participation from adolescents and their caregivers.
This presentation will overview the structure of a DBT skills-only group for adolescents and their caregivers in an outpatient clinical setting. Results will be shared that demonstrate the effectiveness of DBT skills groups for adolescents, using outcome measures assessing child and parent report of behavioral and emotional subscales. The presentation aims to inform clinical practice and contribute to a greater understanding of the potential impact of DBT skills only effectiveness in outpatient settings for adolescents.