DBT STEPS-E Has Arrived!
The wait is over! DBT STEPS-E, designed specifically for elementary students (K–2 and 3–5), is now available for pre-order and training registration is now open.
📖 Pre-order the Manual
STEPS-E Manual Only: $62 (Available on Amazon and Guilford Press)
Bundle Deal: Get STEPS-E + STEPS-A together for only $97.95 (regularly $130). That’s like adding STEPS-A for just $35 when you buy STEPS-E. (Available only through Guilford Press)
Bulk orders must go through Guilford Press.
DBT STEPS-E
Registration Information
$995 Per person
$945 Early bird per person
$945 Per person for groups of 5 or more
$895 Early bird per person for groups of 5 or more
If registering multiple people, please have contact information for all registrants ready before beginning registration. Each individual must be entered, including name, email address, role, and grades served. Thank you
Register for DBT STEPS-E Training
To register with a Purchase Order, click here to submit your PO details.
To register without a PO, choose from the registration options below.
March 23-25, 2026
Implementation of DBT STEPS-E (Elementary) SEL Curriculum Training
2 Day Live Virtual Training
16.5 CE Hours
March 18-20, 2026
Implementation of DBT STEPS-E (Elementary) SEL Curriculum Training
2 Day Live Virtual Training
16.5 CE Hours
DBT STEPS-E: Skills Training for Emotional Problem Solving in Grades K-5 is a comprehensive social-emotional learning program designed to equip elementary students with vital skills in emotion regulation, behavioral control, interpersonal relationships, and decision-making. Rooted in empirically-based Dialectical Behavior Therapy, this program extends the successful adolescent curriculum, DBT STEPS-A, and aligns with the five CASEL competencies.
Our curriculum is designed for universal (Tier I) instruction within an MTSS framework, making it accessible for all elementary students and easily implemented by general education teachers without the need for additional youth mental health training. The DBT STEPS-E manual also provides guidance for school mental health staff to utilize the curriculum for Tier II and Tier III support.
Structured around four core skill modules—Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance (adapted as "Don’t Make it Worse" for K-2), Emotion Regulation, and Interpersonal Effectiveness—each lesson features age-appropriate teaching scripts, student examples, practical handouts, and engaging activity sheets. Teachers are empowered to adapt lessons to meet the diverse needs of their students.
To align with cognitive development, DBT STEPS-E offers two distinct curricula: one for K-2 (30-minute, 12 lessons with project-based ideas) and another for grades 3-5 (40-minute, 16 lessons). The K-2 curriculum establishes foundational skills for subsequent grades.
What is DBT STEPS-E?
Meet Our Newest Team Members
To support educators, counselors, and students, DBT in Schools is launching three new video series that bring DBT skills to life for both STEPS-E (elementary) and STEPS-A (secondary):
Dr. Wellbeing → Explains the why behind DBT skills, offers insights into how skills look in elementary and secondary classrooms, and helps educators and parents understand how to support students.
Dr. Skills → Provides deeper dives into individual DBT skills, along with practical classroom activities and implementation tips for teachers and counselors.
Debby DBT → An engaging cartoon character designed for students themselves. Debby introduces skills in fun, age-appropriate ways that can be played directly in class to help students practice and strengthen their understanding.
💡 These videos are designed to serve multiple audiences:
For educators and counselors → professional learning and classroom-ready activities.
For parents → easy-to-share tools to support skill use at home.
For students → direct, engaging lessons with Debby DBT.
Together, these series create an ongoing library of resources to make DBT skills practical, accessible, and engaging for all grade levels, K–12.
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Join the Conversation
Be part of our growing Community Hub and join the Elementary Chat to connect with like-minded educators, parents, and counselors. Share insights, ask questions, and get direct responses from experts in the field.