Affirmations in DBT are positive statements that clients can use to cope with distressing emotions and increase mindfulness. Research shows that engaging in affirmations can be effective in various threatening situations and they prompt an individual to reflect on their strengths and core values.
The DBT Positive Affirmation Cards are a collection of 168 affirmations that fall under the following categories: Positive Affirmations, Radical Acceptance, and Interpersonal Effectiveness. This diverse selection allows clients to choose which affirmations resonate with them the most depending on the challenge they’re facing.
For kids and teens who are in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) or may benefit from DBT principles, using these affirmation cards helps with emotion regulation. If you’re a mental health professional, feel free to use these cards in individual or group settings to start meaningful discussions.
For 1-page DBT affirmation resources, try our DBT Coping Statements handout, or our DBT Positive Affirmations worksheet.
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Want more resources like this? Check out our full catalog of DBT worksheets and handouts.
References:
- Cascio, C. N., O’Donnell, M. B., Tinney, F. J., Lieberman, M. D., Taylor, S. E., Strecher, V. J., & Falk, E. B. (2015). Self-affirmation activates brain systems associated with self-related processing and reward and is reinforced by future orientation. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 11(4), 621–629. https://doi.org/10.1093/scan/nsv136
- Creswell, J. D., Dutcher, J. M., Klein, W. M. P., Harris, P. R., & Levine, J. M. (2013). Self-Affirmation Improves Problem-Solving under Stress. PLOS ONE, 8(5), e62593. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0062593
- Howell, A. J. (2016b). Self-Affirmation Theory and the Science of Well-Being. Journal of Happiness Studies, 18(1), 293–311. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-016-9713-5
