Beginners Guide to Using a DBT House

What is a DBT House?

As counselors and therapists, I’m sure you have heard of the term DBT House! If not, it stands for Dialectical Behavior Therapy, which is a form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

Personally, I am more of a child-centered person myself… however, working with kiddos in school, there are times when I need a quick resource!

This DBT House can be adapted to fit so many different things. I have used it with students struggling with grief, anger, divorce, negative thoughts, depression, self-esteem and behavior issues in the classroom. I’m sure there are a million more ways to use this!

As a child-centered person, I don’t feel bad about having a quick reference like this because there is plenty of room for kids to be creative and add the details they need.

What do you say?

I like to treat it more like art therapy with a little guidance! I get out all the art supplies for drawing and let the student go to work creating their four-story house. As they are doing that, I guide them through the discussion like this…

Examples of various situations…
“What do you want to change or get control of?”
“What seems to be bothering you most?”
“How did your grief journey start?”
“What feelings do you want to have more?”
“What do you like to keep hidden from others?”
“How would your best day look in your classroom?”
“Who supports you?”
“When things get tough, who can you talk to?”
“What are some things you want others to see? Who would you want to see them?”

It really amazes me to see the student’s “finished” house.

Another thing I like to do is to assess their feelings at the beginning and end of a quick activity. I have a chart with different emotional faces on it and a rating scale of 1-10. I like for the students to point to or talk about which level they are at before and after the activity. Using this house, nine times out of ten, the students will rate themselves feeling better.

But… what about the one that doesn’t?

I write that student’s name on my weekly counseling rotation so we can have more one-on-one time. This activity is not for every kiddo!

The DBT House is just one way for kids to connect to their situation and the feelings they are having. It also brings light to their support system and what they want others to know. If the child can become more aware and mindful of the problem or feeling, they are more likely to apply their coping strategies. If they don’t know when to use them, they won’t!

If you are a Printable Lovin’ Counselor… check the link out below!

Yes… I made a DBT House for you to use with your students!

I hope this helps you and gives you one more tool for your toolbox!
Lord knows counselors need a lot of tools!

I would love to hear your thoughts and how you use DBT Houses!