DBT Skills Training for Emotional Problem Solving for Adolescents (DBT STEPS-A) is a social emotional learning (SEL) curriculum developed by Dr. Mazza, Dr. Dexter-Mazza and colleagues to be implemented in middle and high schools in order to teach all adolescents effective emotion regulation, decision making, and problem-solving skills. DBT STEPS-A can be implemented at Tiers 1, 2, and 3 in schools using a multitiered systems of support (MTSS).

The DBT STEPS-A curriculum includes 30 lesson plans that are designed to fit within a general education curriculum. Each lesson is 50 minutes long. The curriculum was adapted from the skills training program in Dialectical Behavior Therapy developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan, a professor at the University of Washington. The 30 lessons cover skills from each of the DBT skills modules including:

• Orientation & Goal Setting

• Dialectical Thinking

• Core Mindfulness Skills

• Distress Tolerance Skills

• Emotion Regulation Skills

• Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills

DBT STEPS-A has been being used in several middle and high school programs around the country.