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Comprehensive DBT Programs for Teens
Evolve offers high-fidelity DBT residential treatment for teens with complex emotional and behavioral challenges, helping them build the stability, coping skills, and confidence needed to create meaningful, lasting change.
About Evolve's Comprehensive DBT Program
For more than a decade, Evolve has provided evidence-based residential treatment for adolescents with complex mental health, behavioral, and substance use challenges. Evolve’s Comprehensive DBT Program builds on this experience by combining the organization’s established residential model, including robust safety protocols, 24/7 supervision, and intensive clinical support, with comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy as the program’s core clinical approach.
Evolve’s residential Comprehensive DBT program for teens brings together all four modes of standard DBT in one integrated, clinically rigorous environment: DBT individual therapy, structured DBT skills training, real-time DBT skills coaching, and a weekly therapist DBT consultation team meeting. This is not a modified or “DBT-informed” approach. It is a comprehensive DBT program delivered with fidelity to the evidence-based treatment model developed by Marsha Linehan, PhD, the founder of DBT.
This program provides intensive therapeutic support through individual and family therapy, group therapy, psychiatric care, and in-the-moment skills coaching. While DBT serves as the foundation of treatment, care is still individualized and incorporates additional evidence-based therapies, experiential therapies, practical life skills development, and physical wellness. Through Evolve’s Comprehensive DBT Program, teens gain the stability, skills, and confidence needed to navigate challenges more effectively and create meaningful, lasting change across daily life, relationships, school, and home.
Program Quick Facts
Ages: 12-17
Level of Care: Residential Treatment
Average Length of Stay: 45-60 days
Program Size: 6 Teens
Who We Treat: Teens with mental health and/or substance use challenges
Locations: Aura and Vanalden in the Los Angeles area
- Fully adherent Comprehensive DBT model
- Individual DBT therapy at least three times per week
- 24/7 in-the-moment coaching from trained DBT Skills Coaches
- Twice-weekly family therapy and parent coaching
- Weekly virtual DBT skills training group for parents
- More than 30 hours of clinical groups each week
- Multidisciplinary treatment team, including a board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist, therapists, DBT Skills Coaches, an academic coordinator, nurses, a chef, and additional support staff
- Intensively trained DBT clinicians and clinical leadership
- 1:3 therapist-to-client caseload
- Weekly DBT consultation team with a DBT-Linehan Board Certified Clinician
Who Is This Program Designed For
Evolve’s Comprehensive DBT Program is a residential treatment program for teens ages 12 to 17 who need a higher level of care for severe emotion dysregulation, self-harm, suicidality, impulsive or unsafe behaviors, and related mental health or substance use challenges.
Residential treatment may be the right next step when these concerns have made daily life difficult to manage, safety has become a concern, or less structured treatment has not led to enough progress.
Designed for teens who need a highly structured and intensive DBT approach, the program helps teens build practical skills and apply them throughout the day to manage distress, regulate emotions, improve relationships, make safer choices, and create greater stability in daily life.
Evolve’s Comprehensive DBT Residential Program may be appropriate for teens who:
Are struggling with mental health and/or substance use challenges, such as depression, anxiety, trauma-related symptoms, OCD, and more
Feel emotions very intensely, have difficulty calming down, or experience significant shifts in mood throughout the day
Engage in self-harm, impulsive behaviors, or other behaviors that may put their safety at risk
Have experienced suicidal thoughts or have made a previous or recent suicide attempt
Experience repeated crises, emergency evaluations, or psychiatric hospitalizations
Have frequent conflict with parents, difficulty maintaining relationships, or patterns of intense and unstable relationships
Struggle with a changing or unclear sense of who they are, including frequent shifts in their values, beliefs, interests, goals, or identity
Experience intense anger or have difficulty managing angry reactions
Under stress, become highly suspicious, feel disconnected from themselves or their surroundings, or feel as though things are not real
Have had difficulty making meaningful progress in other treatment settings
Need a residential setting with 24/7 support, supervision, and clinical care
What is DBT and What Makes a Program Comprehensive DBT
Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, is an evidence-based, skills-based treatment approach that helps clients manage intense emotions, change harmful patterns, and build a life that feels worth living.
Many programs say they offer DBT, but providing DBT-informed care is not the same as delivering Comprehensive DBT. A program is considered comprehensive when it includes all four standard components: DBT skills training, DBT-based individual therapy, in-the-moment skills coaching, and a weekly DBT consultation team.
At Evolve, these components work together as one integrated treatment model. Teens do not simply learn DBT concepts in a group or therapy session. They receive repeated opportunities to practice and apply skills throughout the day, while therapists, DBT Skills Coaches, psychiatrists, nurses, academic staff, and clinical leaders coordinate care around the same DBT framework.
A comprehensive DBT program must include:
DBT Skills Training Group
DBT skills training groups teach teens how to identify and change the behaviors, emotions, and thought patterns that drive distress and get in the way of everyday life. Evolve clinicians are trained to facilitate groups using the structured DBT skills-training format developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan. Groups include “skills homework” assignments that help teens practice and apply new skills in real-life situations between sessions.Through repeated practice, teens build the coping strategies and emotional stability that make lasting change possible.
Individual Therapy and Family Therapy
In individual and family therapy, DBT-trained clinicians use the model as the primary therapeutic approach, guiding treatment planning, session structure, and clinical interventions. Sessions begin with a review of DBT diary cards, then focus on reinforcing skills use, analyzing target behaviors, and strengthening motivation and commitment to treatment.
Skills Coaching
In traditional outpatient DBT, skills coaching typically happens by phone between sessions when a client needs support. At Evolve, that same coaching is built directly into the residential setting through milieu-based, 24/7 skills coaching that follows the structured, step-by-step approach central to the DBT model. Evolve’s specially trained DBT skills coaches are available around the clock to help teens practice and strengthen new skills in real time throughout the day, especially during moments of distress or crisis.
DBT Consultation Team
DBT providers meet weekly as a consultation team focused on supporting the clinicians and staff who deliver DBT, ensuring the model is applied consistently, effectively, and with fidelity. DBT recognizes that strong therapist support is essential to successful outcomes, which is why a consultation team is a required part of comprehensive DBT. Team members use this time to problem-solve clinical challenges, strengthen their own skills, and maintain empathy and motivation in their work, reinforcing the same principles taught to teens and families.
Evolve's Comprehensive DBT Program vs. Other Adolescent Programs That Offer Some DBT
A side-by-side look at how care is delivered, so you can decide what fits your teen.
| Evolve's Comprehensive DBT Programs | Other Adolescent Programs | |
|---|---|---|
| Individual Therapy | Therapists consistently use DBT as the primary therapeutic approach, and incorporate DBT strategies such as, diary cards, behavior chain analysis, treatment targets, and skills reinforcement. Individual therapy three times per week for 50 minutes per session and our therapist-to-client caseload is 1:3 | General individual therapy that may occasionally incorporate DBT language or worksheets Sessions may occur 1-3 times per week. Some claim to have more sessions but these are more frequent but shorter sessions. Therapist-to-client caseloads are often 1:4 or more. |
| DBT Skills Training | Structured DBT skills training groups occur 4x per week and follow an eight-week rotating curriculum that covers core skills from all four DBT modules. Groups are led by the extensively trained primary therapists who know each teen’s treatment goals, allowing them to personalize skills practice and connect group learning to each teen’s broader treatment plan. | May offer a weekly DBT-informed group. These groups are typically facilitated either by a contracted provider who is not involved in the teen’s individual treatment, or by a clinician who has not been trained to lead adherent DBT skills groups and may be simply following the manual without integrating the group into the teen’s broader treatment plan. |
| In-the-Moment Skills Coaching | Trained DBT Skills Coaches support teens throughout the day and help them apply the DBT skills during real emotional and interpersonal challenges. Coaches follow specific steps that are designed to help teens master skills. Over time, teens are gradually encouraged to identify and use skills more independently so they are better prepared to manage challenges after discharge. | Residential staff may provide general support but are not trained in DBT skills and the coaching steps required for DBT skills coaching. |
| DBT Consultation Team | The clinical director, Therapists and DBT Skills Coaches participate in a weekly DBT consultation team that supports adherence, clinical decision-making, and therapist effectiveness. This group is facilitated by a DBT-Linehan Board Certified Clinician. | No formal DBT consultation team, or standard treatment meetings that do not serve the same clinical function. |
Evolve’s program goes well beyond a residential setting that simply includes some DBT skills. It is a specialty residential DBT program for teens, built around the full Comprehensive DBT model, so teens can learn, practice, and apply DBT skills throughout daily life with support from a highly trained treatment team.
Wondering if Evolve's Comprehensive DBT Program is the right fit for your teen?
Our admissions team offers a free, no-commitment phone assessment to help you decide.
Expert Clinical Oversight: A Program Shaped by DBT Experts
Evolve’s Comprehensive DBT Program was developed and continues to be supported by experienced clinical and medical leaders, along with specialized DBT consultants who bring deep expertise in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and the treatment of teens with complex emotional and behavioral needs.
These experts guide how the program is built and run, from clinical decision-making and staff training to ongoing refinements, so that Comprehensive DBT for teens is delivered with consistency, structure, and clinical rigor.
Evolve also has intensively trained DBT clinicians in key executive and leadership roles across clinical care, admissions, and operations. That leadership presence keeps the DBT model integrated throughout the organization. Staff receive ongoing training and mentorship, and every stage of care, from the initial assessment through discharge planning, is approached through a DBT lens.
DBT-Trained Leadership and Consultants
DBT-Trained Leadership and Consultants
| Name | Title | Training / Certification |
|---|---|---|
| Michelle Gross, LMFT | Chief Executive Officer | Behavioral Tech intensively trained clinician |
| Alyson Orcena, LMFT | Chief Clinical Officer | Behavioral Tech intensively trained clinician |
| Melissa Vallas, MD | Medical Director & Treating Psychiatrist | |
| Megan Johnston, LMFT | Vice President of Admissions | Behavioral Tech intensively trained clinician |
| Lisa Faguet, LCSW | Vice President of Operations | Behavioral Tech intensively trained clinician |
| Caitlin Gharibeh, LMFT | Comprehensive DBT Program Clinical Director | Behavioral Tech intensively trained clinician |
| Ruth Avalos, LCSW | Comprehensive DBT Clinical Consultant | DBT-Linehan Board Certified Clinician |
DBT Skills Modules
DBT includes four core modules that help teens build practical skills for managing emotions, improving relationships, tolerating distress, and staying present in the moment.
Core Mindfulness
Core Mindfulness
Interpersonal Effectiveness
Interpersonal Effectiveness
Emotion Regulation
Emotion Regulation
Distress Tolerance
Distress Tolerance
I thought I knew all the skills from being in other programs, but I didn’t actually know how to use them. Now I know how to apply those skills. I came to Evolve depressed and I walked out with a life worth living.
Alumni Client
My teen spent 60 days in the program, and those 60 days truly changed her life. She returned home stronger, healthier and more hopeful. As a parent, seeing that transformation fills me with gratitude that is hard to put into words.
Alumni Parent
Evolve is truly remarkable, on so many levels! I have my young one home with me again, and she is a new person, ready to tackle life in a new light.
Why Families Choose Evolve’s Comprehensive Program
Families choose Evolve’s Comprehensive DBT Program for teens because DBT here isn’t limited to a single group or therapy technique, it’s woven into every part of care. As one of the nation’s leading adherent, comprehensive DBT residential programs for adolescents, we offer a level of expertise, consistency, and clinical excellence that families can trust.
Evolve’s program also offers several features that distinguish it from other programs:
- An adherent Comprehensive DBT model designed specifically for teens
- Intensively trained DBT leadership across executive, clinical, operational, and direct care roles
- A small residential milieu of only six teens, allowing for highly individualized care and closer clinical attention
- A dedicated, board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist who serves as a full-time member of the treatment team
- Robust safety protocols and supervision designed to support teens with histories of self-harm, suicidal thoughts, or suicide attempts
- Use of a cutting-edge, research-backed assessment tool to track outcomes and measure progress
- One of the few all-gender Comprehensive DBT residential programs for adolescents
- One of the few Comprehensive DBT residential programs that accepts insurance and participates in network with many private insurance providers
Admissions Process: Find Out if Evolve’s Comprehensive DBT Program is Right for Your Teen
From the very beginning, Evolve’s admissions process is designed to determine whether each teen is an appropriate fit for the Comprehensive DBT Program. Evolve’s Vice President of Admissions is an intensively trained DBT clinician who worked with Evolve’s Chief Clinical Officer to develop an admissions protocol specific to the Comprehensive DBT model.
Each pre-admission assessment is reviewed through a clinical DBT lens, with careful attention to the teen’s symptoms, safety needs, treatment history, emotional and behavioral patterns, and ability to benefit from the full Comprehensive DBT model. This level of review is important because Comprehensive DBT is a highly structured treatment approach designed for specific clinical needs, including severe emotion dysregulation, self-harm, suicidality, impulsive behaviors, and related challenges.
By identifying fit before admission, Evolve can help ensure that each teen is placed in the program most likely to meet their needs and support meaningful progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Evolve’s Comprehensive DBT Program accept insurance?
Yes. Evolve works with most private insurance plans on both an in-network and out-of-network basis. Evolve is in network with Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, TriWest, Kaiser Southern California, Health Net/MHN, and Blue Shield of California. Our admissions team can help verify your benefits and explain what your family’s insurance may cover.
Please note that Evolve does not accept state insurance plans, such as Medicaid.
How long do teens usually stay in the program?
Length of stay depends on each teen’s needs and treatment progress. Many teens stay approximately 45 to 60 days.
What does a typical day look like?
Each day includes a structured schedule with therapy groups, academic time during the school week, meals, fitness, and recreation time. Throughout the week, teens also participate in psychiatry, individual therapy, and family therapy sessions outside of core group programming. Support is available throughout the day so teens can practice coping and regulation skills in real time. To check out a sample program schedule click here.
How are parents involved in treatment? What does communication and visitation look like?
Parents are active participants in treatment. The program includes family therapy twice per week, typically one session with the teen and parents together and one parent coaching session. Parents also participate in a weekly virtual DBT skills training group with other parents. This work helps caregivers better understand their teen’s needs, strengthen communication, and prepare for continued support after discharge.
Outside of therapy sessions, parents are encouraged to stay connected through scheduled daily phone calls. Families may also participate in weekly Sunday visitation, which can be conducted virtually for out-of-state families, and when clinically appropriate, additional off-site therapeutic family passes may be scheduled as part of the treatment process.
Does the program support substance use challenges?
Yes. The program treats mental health and substance use challenges in teens. Evolve is licensed to treat both primary substance use or primary mental health. For teens with substance use concerns, treatment includes Motivational Interviewing, SMART Recovery, family work, skills training, and individualized clinical support. If indicated, additional recovery coaching sessions may be added with a certified substance use counselor or addiction counseling specialist.
Do you accept teens from across the United States?
Yes. Evolve accepts teens from across the country for our Comprehensive DBT Program. Because comprehensive DBT residential treatment for teens is rare, especially in a small, six-teen setting, families often travel from out of state to access our program. Our admissions team can walk families through the process and help them understand what to expect before, during, and after treatment.
Where is the program located?
Evolve’s comprehensive DBT Program is located in Tarzana, California, in Los Angeles County. Families travel from across the country to access this specialized program, often flying into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or Hollywood Burbank Airport when bringing their teen to treatment.
How do I know if residential treatment is the right level of care?
Residential treatment may be appropriate if your teen has not been successful at lower levels of care, or if safety and daily functioning have become difficult to manage at home due to intense mental health, substance use, or behavioral concerns. Evolve’s admissions team can help assess whether residential treatment is clinically appropriate and walk you through the next steps.
Same-day, free, no-commitment phone assessments are available. Call the admissions team today: (800) 665-4769
What happens after my teen completes the program?
Discharge planning begins shortly after admission. We help families identify outpatient DBT programs or therapists in their area and coordinate a transition plan that supports continuity of care, including providing treatment summaries to continuing care providers. In family therapy we also build an individualized home contract with the teen and parents to help provide continued structure for the teen returning home by outlining expectations and rules, as well as specific and measurable motivators.
Will my teen fall behind in school?
At Evolve, teens continue their academic pursuits for 2 hours per day, 5 days per week, Monday-Friday, and have additional time during recreational hours for homework. The program has a dedicated Academic Coordinator who works with the therapist and parents to implement an individualized education plan that will help get teens on track with academics. With proper consent, they can help parents coordinate with their teens’ school to get assignments, support IEP or 504 plan implementation, and more. Academic Coordinators are trained to work with teens facing mental health challenges, and for many teens who’ve missed school due to a mental health crisis, treatment actually helps them get back on track once emotional and safety concerns are addressed.
What does DBT treatment focus on first when a teen is struggling with multiple challenges?
Many teens entering this program are dealing with more than one challenge at once. Safety concerns, conflict at home, school refusal, depression, anxiety, substance use, or all of these together. With that much going on, a clear order matters.
Treatment begins with safety. The team prioritizes anything that puts a teen at immediate risk, including suicidal thoughts, self-harm, and other unsafe behaviors. From there, the focus shifts to patterns that interfere with treatment itself, such as avoidance, refusal, or dishonesty, because progress depends on staying engaged. Finally, the team works on the patterns that brought the teen into treatment in the first place: depression, anxiety, anger, impulsivity, substance use, conflict at home or with peers, and relationship instability.
These priorities are not a rigid, step-by-step checklist. The team often works on all three at once, but safety always comes first, with the rest addressed behind it.
Clinically Reviewed by: Alyson Orcena, LMFT, Chief Clinical Officer at Evolve