Show Notes
do you want to start therapy but are worried about what your parents might think? are your parents making you try therapy but you don’t know what to expect? whether therapy is your idea or theirs, this episode breaks down why dialectical behavioral therapy (dbt) can help families navigate even the most challenging mental health issues (content warning for brief mentions of SH).
today’s guest is dr. jill rathus— a world-renowned authority on dbt. she co-developed dialectical behavior therapy for adolescents and families alongside dr. alec miller and dr. marsha linehan and is the co-author of several of the leading texts on this subject, including the widely used dbt skills manual for adolescents.
in this episode, dr. rathus shares her expertise on a number of teen mental health topics, including how to tell if a teen is dealing with mental health issues and what steps a family can take to help.
we talk about:
01:38 what an initial dbt appointment can look like
09:02 common concerns that teens + parents have about mental health
13:07 qualifying “normal” teen behavior vs. a mental health issue
18:39 why it often takes a crisis for teen mental health to be taken seriously
22:42 signs that a teenager is reaching out for help with their mental health
23:55 how to validate someone who’s struggling (+ common invalidating responses)
26:04 strict vs. lenient parenting styles + how that impacts teen mental health
28:53 starting family therapy + what that involves
35:55 applying therapy to daily life in ways that actually work
39:43 why dr. rathus is hopeful about teen mental health
mentioned:
• dr. rathus’ bio
• dr. rathus’ practice
• dbt skills manual for adolescents
• dbt skills manual for adolescents: second edition (preorder)
• mclean 3east
• wdbta summit
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@shepersistedpodcast
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© 2026 SHE PERSISTED LLC. all rights reserved.
More from She Persisted
if you know what you need to do to improve your mental health, but struggle to implement these changes into your life, then this episode is for YOU.
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want to hear an expert’s opinion on the teen mental health crisis?! today’s guest is dr. blaise aguirre—an assistant professor in psychiatry at harvard medical school in the department of psychiatry. he is a child and adolescent psychiatrist and the founding medical director of the 3east dialectical behavior therapy continuum of care at harvard affiliated mclean hospital.
why are some people afraid to ask for help, even when their mental health is getting WORSE?! today’s guest is dr. blaise aguirre—an assistant professor in psychiatry at harvard medical school in the department of psychiatry. he is a child and adolescent psychiatrist and the founding medical director of the 3east dialectical behavior therapy continuum of care at harvard affiliated mclean hospital.
if you want to learn more about how our generation can create lasting change in mental health, this episode is for you!