The Resilient Roots program is the Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Children (DBT-C) brought to the community; it is a practical and structured program proven to bring about significant change in children and their families lives. The major difference is that the RR-DBT Program is geared towards the needs of African American families. VIEW THE DBT-C PAGE to learn all the specifics about DBT with tweens and kids.
Our Resilient Roots Dialectical Behavior Therapy Program(RR-DBT) is like our Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Children (DBT-C). However, this program is brought to the community. We focus on partnerships with schools, doctor’s offices, churches, and community organizations, while delivering DBT to African American youth.
Let’s face it, African American parents often describe their parenting styles a little different than White parents. That's not good, bad, right, or wrong. It is simply different and that is why we are committed to including techniques that are culturally sensitive without changing the integrity of the DBT-C model that has been highly researched.
The Resilient Roots Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Program (RR-DBT) at AFBHS is culturally focused to empower African American youth using an evidence-based treatment for individuals experiencing experience significant emotional and behavioral challenges. Research shows DBT Programs have the highest rate of completion. Resilient Roots serves youth, ages 7-13, addressing the alarming fact that African American youth ages 5-12 are twice as likely to die by suicide than their White peers. Resilient Roots is a critical resource for these vulnerable families.
As one of only two fully trained DBT-C providers in Michigan—we partner with schools, doctors, churches, and community groups (DBT on Tour) to break stigma, address systemic barriers in healthcare that hinder African American’s access to treatment, and lower alarming suicide rates. Our structured, strength-based, family-centered approach fosters healing and resilience, inspiring parents to guide their children’s emotional growth and success.
Meaning Behind the Name
“Resilient Roots” signifies the profound strength and cultural heritage of African American youth and their families. The word “roots” acknowledges a shared history and sense of identity—honoring generations who endured adversity. “Resilient” reflects the ability to grow and persevere, even in the face of systemic challenges. Together, “Resilient Roots” underscores the program’s commitment to fostering emotional well-being while celebrating the rich legacy and inherent resilience within Black communities, ultimately empowering young people to stand firmly in their identity and thrive.
Who is RR-DBT For? Who Can Benefit?
Resilient Roots is for children who experience significant emotional and behavioral challenges. It benefits those who struggle with intense emotions, impulsivity, frequent outbursts, anxiety, self-harm behaviors, or thoughts of suicide. Children who have difficulty regulating their emotions in school, at home, or with peers often gain valuable coping tools. Additionally, RR-DBT involves caregivers, ensuring parents learn strategies that support emotional development and reinforce healthy communication within the family.
Our Program
- Provides support for youth with intense emotions and behavioral challenges.
- Provides DBT coaching and education for families and educators, giving you the tools to support youth.
- Provides skills classes and parent classes.
- Promotes healing by creating opportunities to flourish and decrease generational trauma.
- Is assessable virtually or in-person, in your community or at AFBHS.
DBT On Tour
We fondly think of our program as DBT On Tour because we are taking it to the community to reach you where you are. Here are some of the locations you will find us:
- Churches
- Community Centers
- Doctor's Offices
- Elementary/Middle Schools
- And of course, our office
Class Dates
Parents Only Classes - Hybrid for a virtual and in-person option 12 Weeks
Parent & Child Class - In-Person 12 Weeks
Mission Statement
We provide culturally responsive, evidence-based mental health care that empowers Black youth to build resilience, emotional regulation, and self-worth. Through accessible, community-centered support, we aim to reduce suicide rates, break down barriers to care, and foster a legacy of strength, healing, and thriving within African American families and communities. We are committed to creating a safe space where youth can grow, overcome challenges, and lead fulfilling lives, while also advancing research and education in mental health for marginalized populations.
Values Statement
We believe in the strength and potential of every African American youth who seeks our care. We are honored to walk alongside you, witnessing your journey as you navigate life’s challenges with courage and resilience. Our commitment is to provide a compassionate and empowering environment where you are seen, heard, and valued. We embrace your story with warmth, respect, and authenticity, offering evidence-based, culturally attuned care that fosters healing and growth.
We are dedicated to breaking down barriers to mental health care, standing against systemic inequalities, and ensuring that you and your family have access to the tools and support you deserve. Our goal is to help you not just survive but thrive, creating a lasting impact that ripples through your life, your family, and your community. Together, we build resilience, foster empowerment, and create a legacy of strength.
Our Training
We have undergone intensive DBT training through Behavioral Tech., LLC that follows the evidence-based model developed by Marsha Linehan, PhD and adapted by Francheska Perepletchikova, PhD specifically for pre-adolescent children. Our goal is to deliver competent and effective DBT treatment to you. DBT-C was developed to address treatment needs of pre-adolescent children with severe emotional dysregulation and corresponding behavioral dyscontrol. These children experience emotions on a different level, and much stronger than their peers. Little things irritate them, and emotions may be so overwhelming that verbal or physical aggression occurs. It may seem at times that these children are manipulative and are trying to push everyone’s buttons. However, the child’s volatile behaviors may indeed be the best way they know how to deal with their intense emotions. Further, these behaviors may continue because they are frequently reinforced (e.g., attention from adults and peers, getting their way when parents finally give in, reduction in the intensity of emotional arousal). The environment may not be ready to effectively manage the challenges such children present, and “good-enough parenting” may not be sufficient to meet these demands. As a child’s needs cannot be adequately met by the environment, the environment frequently invalidates these needs, and destabilizes the child further. A more destabilized child continues to stretch an environment’s ability to respond adequately, which leads to further invalidation, and so forth. This transaction over time may lead to the development of a psychopathology. Indeed, research shows that such children are at an increased risk to develop alcohol and substance use problems, suicidality and non-suicidal self-injury, depression, anxiety, and personality disorders in adolescence and adulthood (Althoff, Verhulst, Retlew, Hudziak, & Van der Ende, 2010; Okado & Bierman, 2014; Pickles et al., 2009). The main goals of DBT-C are to teach these children adaptive coping skills and effective problem-solving and to teach their parents how to create a validating and change-ready environment.
Difference between DBT informed therapy and a comprehensive DBT program
- DBT informed only uses a portion of the evidence-based model developed by Marsha Linehan, PhD.
- A DBT informed therapist may not have had extensive DBT training or ongoing training.
- A comprehensive DBT program must include individual, family, group, coaching, and consultation with trained therapist.
- Comprehensive DBT is best practice and increases likelihood of successful treatment in specific areas.