Children’s Friend and the Seven Hills Behavioral Health system of care is proud to partner with the United Way of Central Massachusetts Community Impact grant program to offer the Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) program to youth living in central MA. Since 2006, our behavioral health specialists have supported self-injuring and/or suicidal youth through the DBT program. The DBT program consists of DBT skills groups, specialized DBT individual therapy, telephone crisis coaching, a DBT consultation team, and a parent class, with the goal of moving clients from crisis to stability. Thank you UWCM for your most recent generous grant of $15,000 to support this program in Fiscal Year 24.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy is a life-changing treatment for both the client and the therapist. It is a modified Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and evidence-based approach whose main goals are to: teach others how to live in the moment, develop healthy ways of coping with stress, regulate their emotions, and improve their relationships with others. It works to help those with difficulty in the area of emotional regulation or those who are exhibiting self-destructive behaviors.
Comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy encompasses five essential functions and modes to ensure effective treatment. Firstly, it focuses on motivating clients, helping them to find the inner drive to engage in and persist with therapy. Secondly, DBT involves teaching skills or skill acquisition, equipping clients with the necessary tools to manage their emotions and behaviors. Thirdly, it emphasizes generalizing these skills to natural environments, enabling clients to apply what they have learned in real-world situations. Fourthly, DBT aims to motivate and improve the skills of therapists, ensuring they are well-equipped and inspired to deliver the therapy effectively. Lastly, it is crucial to structure the treatment environment, creating a supportive and organized setting that facilitates the therapeutic process. Together, these functions and modes form a comprehensive approach that addresses the complex needs of clients within DBT.
Children's Friend, an affiliate of Seven Hills, has been serving children and families in the greater Worcester community since 1849. Our mission is to improve the lives of children and those who love them by creating, supporting, and strengthening families. Our commitment to care for and serve children and their families has remained constant throughout our long history. Children's Friend programs reflect the complex needs of contemporary families. They are designed to improve family relationships, ensure effective parenting and protection of children, and create within each family an environment where children can grow into healthy, educated, and responsible members of the community.
The collaboration between Children’s Friend, Seven Hills Behavioral Health, and the United Way of Central Massachusetts highlights the power of community partnerships in addressing critical mental health needs. The DBT program has proven to be a vital resource for at-risk youth, offering them a pathway to stability and emotional well-being. With the continued support from United Way, we are committed to expanding and enhancing this life-changing program, ensuring that more youth in central Massachusetts can benefit from its comprehensive and effective approach.