Self-soothing is a form of immediate relief from painful experiences and helps clients figure out what they will do next during emotional distress. Practicing self-soothing will help them compose and be kinder to themselves and deal with the situation more effectively. This also allows them to be more compassionate and accepting of their choice.
The DBT Self-Soothing 5 Senses Worksheets feature three different worksheet activities, including listing two or more activities from each category, and a suggestion checklist to immerse yourself in each sensation. Each activity facilitates effective ways to be connected with your senses during emotional distress and deal with the situation calmly.
Kids and teens can feel more relaxed while they recall positive feelings, emotions, or memories in answering this worksheet. After practicing the 5 senses activity on each worksheet, caring adults can review the answers and ask the kids what part of the activity they enjoyed most. They can also suggest a different self-soothe activity for the following week. Our Self-Soothing with 5 Senses handout can further illustrate the technique used in these worksheets.
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References:
- Van Dijk, S., McKay, M., Wood, J. C., Brantley, J., MD, Fanning, P., PsyD, E. P., & PsyD, P. E. Z. O. (2023). Distress tolerance made easy: Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills for Dealing with Intense Emotions in Difficult Times.
- Linehan, M. M. (2014). DBT skills training handouts and worksheets. Guilford Publications.
- Weinberg, E. (2021). Good Psychiatric Management and Dialectical Behavior Therapy: A Clinician’s Guide to Integration and Stepped Care. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 74(1), 46–47. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20200059
