At 17, Abby felt like she was drowning. Overwhelmed by emotions she couldn’t control; she saw no way forward. In just two and a half months, she had been hospitalized twice. Her family was terrified watching their bright, passionate daughter slip further into hopelessness. 

Then came a turning point—her psychiatrist recommended CHC’s RISE Intensive Outpatient Program as a path forward when few options remained. Unlike traditional therapy, RISE offers a structured Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) approach tailored for teens with severe depression, suicidal thoughts, and self-harming behaviors—DBT is the only well-established, evidence-based treatment shown to reduce suicidal feelings and self-harm. The 9-week program empowers teens with lifelong skills to regulate emotions and create a life worth living.  

At first, attending sessions felt impossible, and hopelessness lingered. Abby doubted herself and did not think anything could help her. But RISE’s dedicated team of clinicians, including Abby’s coach Sarah, saw potential where Abby only saw darkness. Through a combination of specialized DBT skills training in mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness; intensive group therapy; and 24/7 phone coaching, Abby began to find her way. 

She learned how to navigate her emotions, manage distress, and communicate effectively—skills that provided her with new ways to cope and express herself. Slowly, she began to rebuild. Instead of shutting down, she learned how to validate her feelings. Instead of self-harming, she practiced grounding techniques. 

The impact extended beyond Abby. Because family participation is a core part of RISE, Abby’s parents also began to see the value of DBT. They learned essential skills and gained insight into how to validate and support their daughter in meaningful ways. They no longer felt helpless and became active participants in her healing. 

As Abby gained confidence, she joined her school’s Student Diversity Coalition, became an advocate for her peers, and found a renewed sense of purpose. She started seeing herself not just as someone struggling, but as someone who could help others. 

“I’ve been born with so much privilege,” she says. “I want to make a difference.” 

As Abby prepares for college, her journey is just beginning and she’s eager to pay it forward. She applied to a tutoring program for underprivileged students, plans to major in social justice, and freely shares the DBT skills she’s learned with friends who are navigating challenging times.  

Abby is no longer defined by her past struggles. She is thriving—and helping others thrive too. 

For more information about the RISE Intensive Outpatient Program, visit RISE. If you or someone you know needs help, encourage them to text or call 988 for free, confidential crisis support.