Creative DBT Activities for Children Using Music

A great resource for any skills teaching programme introducing DBT to younger children. The musical activities have been imaginatively linked to DBT skills helping to make the concepts accessible to younger minds. Each chapter includes a session plan, suggested adaptations and links to supporting resources for flexible use. – Stephanie Hastings PhD, Co-Deputy Director PG Dip DBT, Bangor UniversityFinally, a resource that makes DBT skills stick. Grounded in music and SEL best practices, this book turns complex concepts into kid-friendly, real-life tools that work. – Dr. Janice Lindstrom, MT-BC, Director of Music Therapy, Southern Methodist UniversityWith Creative DBT Activities for Children Using Music in their hands, Music Therapists with or without Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) training will be immediately ready to lead creative sessions with children using music. Each activity is set up as a functional, clear, and engaging session plan, complete with a specific skill to be addressed, a summary, necessary materials, a detailed overview of the tasks, and child-friendly discussion questions. Some of the plans include higher developmental levels. The kid-friendly focus is evident throughout the book. Learning should be fun, fabulous, and full of opportunities to imagine! In this book, every session plan guides the child toward achieving small changes. One of my favorite interventions was the Rainy Day Distress Tolerance Skill because it beautifully helps kids find the beauty in a rainy day. I am excited to start my school year with Creative DBT Activities for Children Using Music on my bookshelf! – Edie Hardin-Steiner, MT-BC, LPMT, Bridges Learning Center, Akron Public Schools

Deborah Spiegel is a board-certified music therapist and the CEO and director of the DBT-Informed Music Therapy Centre. She and her team also provide a comprehensive DBT-informed music therapy training program for music therapists through the Spiegel Academy. She is passionate about using music therapy to support patients in strengthening DBT skills.

Suzanne Makary is a Board-Certified Music Therapist who has spent her career serving adults and adolescents with mental health challenges. Since 1997, Suzanne has worked with an interdisciplinary team in the Partial Hospitalization setting.

Chelsea Steen, is a board-certified music therapist serving children, teens, and young adults. Chelsea developed a music therapy program in a children’s residential treatment center and continues to work in an outpatient setting. As a DBT-informed music therapist, she holds groups and sessions focused on building skills through music.

Lauren Bonavitacola is a clinical psychologist, certified Clinician, and board-certified music therapist. She was the founder and director of the Trauma Program at Cognitive & Behavioural Consultants of Westchester and Manhattan. She has first-hand experience teaching DBT to school staff, school clinicians, teachers, and administrators.