Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Services
Is My Child a Super-Sensor?
Some people are wired to experience the world more intensely.
We sometimes refer to these children as “super-sensors.” They have a powerful emotional engine fueled by a hyper-sensitive nervous system.
Super-sensors often:
Go “from 0 to 100” in response to seemingly small events
Struggle to “let things go”
Try to bottle up their emotions, then explode
Feel suddenly overwhelmed by transitions, criticism, or stress
Have BIG emotions
Have difficulty calming down once upset
Want to act differently but can’t seem to stop
How did my child become a super-sensor?
Their hyper-sensitive nervous system is something they were likely born with. The fact is, from a neurobiological standpoint, these children are different from their peers because they:
Activate emotionally more quickly
Experience emotions at higher intensity
Take much longer to return to baseline
This is not a character flaw.
It is not poor parenting.
And it is not a lack of effort or care or respect.
It is how they are wired.
It is their natural nervous system response to the world. A natural response that can go to extremes when the world doesn’t know what to do with such a powerful emotional engine.
Without the right support, super-sensors may begin to internalize harmful narratives:
“I’m too much.”
“Something is wrong with me.”
“Why can’t I just be normal?”
Over time, this shame and hopelessness can evolve into anxiety, depression, aggression, self-harm, or suicide.
Families try to help their child or teen experiencing these things, but many find that the usual advice and treatment strategies do not seem to work.
Typical treatments are not designed for super-sensors.
DBT is.
DBT and DBT-C were developed specifically for the super-sensors of the world.
The research-backed, structured, skills-based work in DBT can be transformative.
The DBT approach:
Increases understanding of emotions, patterns, triggers, and strengths
Teaches skills for how to regulate strong emotions and impulsive behaviors
Replaces power struggles with relationship-strengthening skills
Helps parents and teens respond effectively rather than escalate or “make things worse.”
Teaches how to stay safe in a crisis
Reduces shame while increasing accountability
Focuses on doing what works based on your values and goals
The goal is not to make your child
“less sensitive.”
The goal is for them to become skillful
with their sensitivity
We believe in this treatment.
We’ve seen it work.
We believe we can help.
DBT at Verity
Dr. Sarah Griest, founder of Verity Psychology Clinic, is a DBT-LBC Certified Clinician, ensuring her DBT expertise is verified and continually maintained.
Our DBT Services include:
Individual Therapy (ages 10-17+)
DBT Parent Coaching
DBT Skills Group*
Individual therapy clients and Parent Coaching are eligible for 24/7 Phone Coaching from their clinician, based on their progress in treatment.
We believe in this treatment.
We’ve seen it work.
We believe we can help.
If you want to learn more about our DBT treatment programming or get started working with us, please reach out and schedule a welcome call below!
Contact Us
Interested in working together? Please fill out the contact form and we will be in touch shortly. We try to respond to all messages in 1-2 business days.
We look forward to hearing from you!