Family Communication

8 Sessions

Once family communication patterns take hold, they subtly shape how family members relate to one another for years. What might start as occasional misunderstandings can turn into repeating cycles of criticism, defensiveness, and emotional withdrawal. When family members don't have effective ways to express their needs or handle strong emotions together, tensions rise and trust slowly erodes.

Our Family Communication plan offers a way forward. Based on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)—a proven approach for building emotional awareness and communication skills—we focus on practical tools your family can use right away. Over the course of eight structured sessions, your family will learn and practice these tools together rather than just talk through issues as you would in traditional therapy.

The plan unfolds over four distinct phases:

Identifying current communication patterns
Learning mindfulness practices to reduce emotional reactivity
Building emotion regulation strategies
Practicing interpersonal tools that support healthy connection

Both parents and teens gain a shared language for expressing needs, setting boundaries, and navigating hard conversations together.

Treatment is delivered virtually, with limited in-person availability.

Get started Book with us

The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place. — George Bernard Shaw

Family relationships naturally go through highs and lows, especially during times of transition or growth. But when communication regularly breaks down and emotions take over, it can start to feel like every conversation ends in conflict or distance.

You might notice the same arguments playing out again and again, or feel like no one really hears each other anymore. Maybe your teen shuts down when things get tense, or your attempts to connect are met with frustration or silence. When conversations leave everyone feeling worse instead of closer, it may be time to try something new.

Common indicators for this plan include:

Frequent arguments or communication breakdowns between family members
Emotional reactivity that escalates conflicts
Difficulty understanding each other's perspectives
Parents and teens feeling unheard or misunderstood
Family tension related to developmental changes or transitions
Challenges discussing sensitive or difficult topics
Patterns of criticism, defensiveness, or withdrawal in family interactions
Need for more effective problem-solving strategies as a family
Desire to create a more supportive, validating family environment
Interest in learning emotional skills that benefit the entire family

Why you might choose this plan

What to expect

The teenage years naturally bring communication hurdles. As your teen begins seeking more independence while still needing your support and guidance, finding the right balance can feel like walking a tightrope. Parents often find themselves in a tricky position—wanting to provide boundaries while also giving space for growth. When communication breaks down, teens might withdraw or lash out and parents may swing between over-involvement and pulling back entirely.

Our approach offers practical skills that support both sides of this dynamic. Teens develop tools to recognize and manage their emotions, while parents learn responsive strategies that honor their child's developmental journey. The DBT framework gives your family a common language and roadmap for handling difficult conversations and rebuilding trust with your child. New communication patterns emerge that help nurture healthy relationships during adolescence and through the transition to adulthood.

In-person, telehealth or both

How long does therapy take?

Family-based DBT goes beyond traditional family therapy by focusing on what to do differently, not just what’s going wrong. Instead of spending sessions reviewing conflict, we teach your family how to build emotional awareness, regulate strong feelings, and communicate more clearly with one another.

Treatment begins with a full assessment of your family’s communication dynamics to identify where cycles of conflict are showing up. From there, your therapist will introduce mindfulness strategies to help each family member notice emotions without reacting automatically. These practices become the foundation for the next phase: learning how to manage emotions in the moment and support each other in doing the same.

As you move through the plan, your family will learn and practice specific communication tools—like validation, active listening, and clearly expressing needs. Your therapist will guide structured in-session exercises and offer take-home assignments so skills can be reinforced between sessions. Over time, you’ll build a shared language that helps your family approach tough conversations with more confidence, empathy, and clarity.

Research shows that family-based DBT can improve family functioning, strengthen parent-child relationships, and help teens better regulate their emotions. These changes often lead to positive ripple effects in other areas of life, like school, friendships, and overall wellbeing.

Therapy Lab clinicians hold advanced degrees in clinical psychology, clinical child psychology, and related science-based clinical practices, with specialized training in both DBT and family systems approaches. They create a balanced environment where all family members feel heard and respected while developing practical skills for lasting change. To learn more, please see the resources below.

About Therapy Lab therapists

Harvey, P., & Rathbone, B. H. (2013). Dialectical behavior therapy for at-risk adolescents: A practitioner's guide to treating challenging behavior problems. New Harbinger Publications
‍
Miller, A. L., Rathus, J. H., & Linehan, M. M. (2017). Dialectical behavior therapy with suicidal adolescents. Guilford Publications.
‍
W. O'Donohue, J. E. Fisher, & S. C. Hayes (2009). Cognitive behavior therapy: Applying empirically supported techniques in your practice. John Wiley & Sons.