Empowering Adolescents with Social-Emotional Skills: How DBT STEPS-A Is Transforming Schools
Adolescence is often described as a time of emotional turbulence. Teenagers juggle academic pressure, shifting relationships, and the stressors of everyday life—challenges that can feel overwhelming and impede their ability to learn. For schools, the question becomes how best to support these students so they can thrive both emotionally and academically. That’s where DBT Skills in Schools: Skills Training for Emotional Problem Solving for Adolescents (DBT STEPS-A) comes in—a proactive curriculum designed to teach crucial social-emotional skills that students can use in real-life situations.
“Adolescence is a stormy time. We know these rain clouds come and go, and what's a rain squall for some is a hurricane for others. Students who are struggling with mental health issues are not learning up to their academic potential.”
— Dr. James Mazza, Co-Developer of DBT STEPS-A
1. The Need for Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) in Schools
From academic demands to personal and social challenges, adolescents face a host of stressors every day. These pressures can erode mental well-being, making it hard for students to focus, retain information, and achieve their full academic potential. Recognizing this, more and more schools are taking a proactive role in teaching students skills to manage emotions and cope with stress.
As Dr. Mazza points out, when schools address mental health head-on, they create an environment where students can not only learn but also develop essential life skills for adulthood.
2. What Is DBT STEPS-A?
DBT STEPS-A is an adaptation of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for middle and high school students (grades 6–12). Over a decade ago, Dr. James Mazza and Dr. Lizz Dexter-Mazza, along with their team of trainers, began developing this curriculum to bring DBT’s evidence-based methods into mainstream classrooms.
The curriculum emphasizes four key areas:
Mindfulness – Encouraging students to stay present and grounded in the moment.
Distress Tolerance – Teaching strategies to handle difficult emotions without escalating the situation.
Emotion Regulation – Helping students understand and manage their emotional responses.
Interpersonal Effectiveness – Fostering healthy communication and relationship-building skills.
“We start giving kids a toolbox of strategies and skills so when the next squall comes through, they can pull from that toolbox and implement the skills they have learned to ride out the squall and storm effectively.”
— Dr. James Mazza
By proactively imparting these skills, DBT STEPS-A equips students to navigate life’s inevitable challenges more effectively, promoting both mental wellness and improved academic outcomes.
3. Real-World Impact: Testimonials from Educators
One seasoned middle school counselor, with more than 36 years of experience, calls DBT STEPS-A “the most comprehensive and powerful” program he has ever implemented. According to a survey he conducted with his 8th graders:
96% of students said they would use the skills they learned to manage emotional challenges.
“Imagine students learning that their thoughts and feelings can lie to them in a crisis situation, and gaining the skills to successfully deal with their issues.”
These testimonials underscore the curriculum’s practicality and efficacy. By teaching students that emotions can be misleading, DBT STEPS-A helps them make more rational, informed decisions in stressful moments.
A Comprehensive Resource for Educators
Though often referred to as a “new book,” the DBT STEPS-A manual has been a cornerstone resource from Guilford Press for years. This comprehensive manual:
Outlines detailed lesson plans for each skill module.
Provides handouts and worksheets to enhance student understanding.
Offers practical guidance for a range of school professionals, including psychologists, counselors, social workers, teachers, and parents.
By utilizing the manual—and learning directly from Dr. Mazza, Dr. Dexter-Mazza, and their team—educators and counselors can seamlessly integrate DBT STEPS-A into existing curricula, ensuring students gain these critical skills in a structured, supportive environment.
Looking Ahead: 2025 Trainings and a 10-Week Deep Dive
To further support schools in implementing DBT STEPS-A, Dr. Mazza, Dr. Dexter-Mazza, and their trainers have announced new 2025 trainings. These sessions will help educators, counselors, and mental health professionals refine their DBT STEPS-A skills and tailor them to their students’ unique needs.
Additionally, a 10-week deep dive into DBT STEPS-A is being offered via the DBT in Schools social media channels and within the Community Hub & Forum on our website. Each week, participants will explore essential aspects of the curriculum, ask questions, and collaborate with peers to strengthen their practice.
DBT STEPS-A provides a proactive, research-backed solution for supporting adolescent mental health and enhancing academic outcomes. By equipping students with tools to manage stress, regulate emotions, and build healthy relationships, schools can foster an environment where every student can thrive—rain or shine.
If you’re an educator, counselor, or school leader seeking a comprehensive SEL program, we encourage you to explore DBT STEPS-A:
Sign up for the 2025 trainings to gain hands-on experience in teaching DBT skills.
Join the upcoming 10-week deep dive to connect with experts and peers.
Empower your students today, and watch how these evidence-based skills help them navigate adolescence with confidence and resilience.