Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Tools 8-30-24

DBT is a therapy program designed help clients who struggle with depression and anxiety. These clients sometimes find it difficult to continue living. DBT is based on the Biosocial Theory and is intended to help those who are highly sensitive to their environment, are highly reactive to events, often become overwhelmed with emotion, and are slow to return to calm. Their childhood environment may have been invalidating or chaotic. Many of these clients have experienced some form of trauma, and may seek perfectionism.

One of the tools is below...

FAST Skill

The FAST skill is an important component for communication as it allows you to maintain your self-respect and requires you to be truthful about the problems (even if you are tactful about how you frame them) and not to sacrifice your values or integrity.

be Fair, no Apologies, stick to Values, be Truthful

Be Fair

Be fair to yourself and to the other person. Remember to validate your own feelings and wishes, as well as the feelings and wishes of the other person.

Don’t Over-Apologize

No apologizing for being alive or for making a request at all. No apologies for having an opinion, for disagreeing. No looking ashamed, with eyes and head down or body slumped. No invalidating the valid.

Stick to Your Values

Don’t sell out your values or integrity for reasons that aren’t very important. Be clear on what you believe is the moral or valued way of thinking and acting, and “stick to your guns.”

Be Truthful

Don’t lie. Don’t act helpless when you are not. Don’t exaggerate or make up excuses.

https://dbt.tools/index.php