Emotional Regulation Skills Program for Teenagers (13–18 Years)
Fully funded mental health program for young people aged 13–18 years. Now accepting Expressions of Interest. Small groups (maximum 8 participants).
Emotional Regulation Skills Program
Helping teenagers manage emotions, build resilience and develop lifelong coping skills.
If your teenager struggles with big emotions, anxiety, stress, friendship difficulties or emotional overwhelm, they are not alone.
Emotion Wise is a practical, evidence-informed emotional regulation group designed to help teenagers develop the confidence and skills to better understand and manage their emotions, cope with life's challenges and build healthier relationships.
The program is suitable for young people aged 13–18 years and is delivered in small groups by experienced Spencer Health clinicians.
Emotion Wise forms part of the Spencer Health Youth Wellbeing Project, proudly funded by Sydney North Health Network (SNHN) through the Neighbourhood Health Hub Program.
There is no cost for eligible participants.
What is Emotion Wise?
Emotion Wise is a 10-week emotional regulation program that draws on evidence-based strategies from Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and other contemporary psychological approaches.
Many people have heard of DBT skills because they are recognised internationally for helping young people learn practical strategies to manage emotions, cope with stress and improve relationships.
Rather than focusing only on talking about problems, Emotion Wise teaches practical skills that teenagers can begin using immediately in everyday situations at home, at school and with friends.
Our program is delivered using a neuroaffirming, strengths-based approach, recognising that every young person experiences the world differently and building on their existing strengths.
Is Emotion Wise Right for My Teenager?
Emotion Wise may benefit teenagers experiencing:
- Emotional dysregulation or "big emotions"
- Anxiety or excessive worry
- School stress and overwhelm
- Low confidence or self-esteem
- Anger or frustration
- Friendship or relationship difficulties
- Difficulty coping with change
- ADHD-related emotional regulation challenges
- Emotional overwhelm associated with autism or neurodivergence
- Mild to moderate mental health concerns
During the intake process, our clinicians will discuss whether the program is the right fit for your young person.
What Will Participants Learn?
Throughout the program, participants learn practical strategies to:
- Understand why emotions happen
- Recognise emotional triggers
- Manage overwhelming emotions
- Build emotional resilience
- Respond calmly during stressful situations
- Cope with difficult emotions without making situations worse
- Improve communication and relationships
- Increase mindfulness and self-awareness
- Build confidence in everyday life
Each session is highly interactive and focuses on learning, practising and applying new skills between sessions.
About DBT Skills
Emotion Wise incorporates practical skills from Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), one of the most well-researched psychological approaches for supporting emotional regulation.
Participants learn skills across four key areas:
- Mindfulness – developing awareness and staying present
- Emotional Regulation – understanding and managing emotions
- Distress Tolerance – coping with difficult situations without becoming overwhelmed
- Interpersonal Effectiveness – building healthy relationships and communicating effectively
These skills are taught in an engaging, age-appropriate way that young people can immediately apply in their everyday lives.
Program Details
Age: 13–18 years
Program Length: 10 weekly sessions
Session Length: 1 hour
Group Size: Maximum of 8 participants
Parent Involvement: Two dedicated parent/carer education sessions
Locations:
When: After school during the week
Cost: Fully funded (no cost for eligible participants)
Parent & Carer Sessions
Parents and carers play an important role in helping teenagers practise new skills outside of the group.
The program includes two parent/carer sessions designed to:
- explain the skills being taught;
- provide practical strategies for supporting emotional regulation at home;
- strengthen communication within families; and
- help parents reinforce learning throughout the program.
Serving Families Across Northern Sydney
Emotion Wise is available through Spencer Health clinics in Hornsby, Gladesville and Newport, supporting young people and families across the North Shore, Northern Beaches, Ryde and surrounding areas.
Register Your Interest
We are currently accepting Expressions of Interest for upcoming groups.
If you think Emotion Wise may be suitable for your teenager, we would love to hear from you.
Complete our online Expression of Interest form below and a member of our team will contact you to discuss the program and eligibility.
About Spencer Health
Spencer Health is a leading provider of child, adolescent and family mental health services across Northern Sydney.
Our experienced clinicians provide evidence-based, neuroaffirming care that supports young people to thrive emotionally, socially and academically.
Emotion Wise forms part of our commitment to improving access to early intervention mental health services for young people through the Youth Wellbeing Project, delivered in partnership with Sydney North Health Network (SNHN) and the Neighbourhood Health Hub Program.
