DBT emotion regulation skills
Emotion regulation skills help a client understand and name emotions, reduce their vulnerability to emotion mind, and change emotions that don't fit the facts. Several of these map straight onto a diary card's sleep, medication, exercise, and substance rows.
The emotion regulation skills
Ask whether the emotion, and its intensity, actually fit the facts of the situation.
When an emotion doesn't fit the facts, act opposite to its urge, all the way.
When the emotion does fit and the problem is solvable, change the situation.
Accumulate positive experiences, Build mastery, and Cope ahead of hard situations.
Reduce emotional vulnerability by treating physical illness, balanced eating, avoiding mood-altering substances, balanced sleep, and exercise — the same rows a diary card already tracks.
Experience the emotion fully without acting on it or pushing it away.
Track skill use on a diary card
Skills only help when they generalize. A DBT diary card captures which skills a client actually used between sessions — and Theracharts charts that use over time so you can see it in session.
Build a free diary cardAbout diary cardsFrequently asked questions
What are the DBT emotion regulation skills?
Core skills include Check the Facts, Opposite Action, Problem Solving, the ABC skills, PLEASE, and Mindfulness of Current Emotions.
Why does PLEASE belong on a diary card?
PLEASE targets the physical drivers of emotional vulnerability — sleep, eating, illness, substances, exercise. Those are exactly the rows a fuller diary card tracks, so the card doubles as a PLEASE check.
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