Lozier, a seasoned clinical social worker and therapist, brings her years of experience in child and family therapy to this well-organized workbook. She translates DBT’s four core modules—Mindfulness, Emotion Regulation, Distress Tolerance, and Interpersonal Effectiveness—into interactive, developmentally appropriate activities that can be practiced in therapy sessions, classrooms, or at home.
Unlike many DBT manuals written for adults, this book recognizes the unique emotional world of children and the critical role caregivers play in their development. Each section encourages collaboration between kids and adults, fostering connection, understanding, and emotional safety.
Key Features
- Over 200 creative therapeutic activities grounded in DBT principles, including games, crafts, stories, journaling prompts, and real-life scenarios.
- Caregiver involvement tools, helping parents, teachers, and counselors model and reinforce healthy coping strategies.
- Adaptable exercises suitable for different ages, emotional needs, and learning styles.
- Step-by-step guidance for therapists and caregivers, ensuring activities are implemented effectively and meaningfully.
Each activity is clearly explained, with Lozier offering both the purpose of the exercise and instructions for use. This structure makes the book easy to navigate and implement, even for those new to DBT. Activities are short, engaging, and designed to fit seamlessly into therapy sessions or daily routines—helping children build emotional intelligence one step at a time.
Content Highlights
- Mindfulness Skills:
Activities that teach kids how to stay present, notice their thoughts and feelings, and calm their minds. Exercises such as “Mindful Breathing with a Stuffed Animal” or “Noticing with the Five Senses” make mindfulness relatable and fun. - Emotion Regulation Skills:
Lozier helps children identify and understand emotions, practice positive coping, and reduce emotional vulnerability. Through playful but meaningful exercises, kids learn that all feelings are valid—and manageable. - Distress Tolerance Skills:
The book provides age-appropriate tools to handle frustration, disappointment, and stress. Creative ideas like “Calm Down Jars” or “Safe Space Drawings” help children self-soothe without avoidance or outbursts. - Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills:
Lozier introduces practical strategies for communication, setting boundaries, and resolving conflicts. Role-playing games and reflection prompts help children practice empathy, assertiveness, and kindness.
Why This Book Stands Out
What sets Lozier’s work apart is her focus on collaboration and connection. She emphasizes that emotional growth happens not in isolation, but through relationships—making this a perfect resource for therapists working with families or for parents supporting emotionally sensitive children.
The tone of the book is warm, encouraging, and nonjudgmental. Lozier avoids clinical jargon, making it easy for non-professionals to understand and apply. The variety of activities ensures that sessions remain dynamic and engaging, preventing therapy fatigue for both kids and caregivers.
Intended Audience
This book is ideal for:
- Therapists and counselors seeking structured DBT activities for child and family therapy.
- Parents and caregivers looking for ways to support their child’s emotional development at home.
- Teachers and school counselors aiming to integrate mindfulness and coping strategies into classroom or group settings.
DBT Therapeutic Activity Ideas for Kids and Caregivers by Carol Lozier is a must-have resource for anyone working with or caring for emotionally sensitive or behaviorally challenged children. It blends the rigor of evidence-based DBT principles with the creativity and warmth needed to reach young minds, resulting in a powerful toolkit for emotional growth and connection.
Through her thoughtful activities and compassionate tone, Lozier empowers both kids and caregivers to better understand emotions, build resilience, and strengthen relationships. The book doesn’t just teach DBT skills—it creates a shared journey of healing, understanding, and hope for families navigating the challenges of emotional regulation together.
Author: Carol Lozier, LCSW
GET YOUR COPY: DBT Therapeutic Activity Ideas for Kids and Caregivers