IMPROVE is an acronym for Imagery, Meaning, Prayer, Relaxation, One thing in the moment, Vacation, and Encouragement. As the term implies, the goal of the IMPROVE skill is to improve the moment by replacing the current painful event with a more positive act, which makes the moment more pleasant and bearable.
The IMPROVE The Moment DBT handout explains its acronym and suggests activities to help make a stressful situation more tolerable. Visualizing a relaxing place, finding a sense of purpose from the distressing situation, praying to something greater, trying a relaxing activity, slowing down, taking a well-deserved break, and practicing affirmations are all examples of ways clients can improve the moment.
This handout helps kids and teens make a situation easier to deal with during distress. They can internally repeat words of encouragement to themselves at the end of this handout, which is a good opportunity to increase feelings of relaxation. Moreover, they can use our DBT IMPROVE Worksheet to list other IMPROVE activities they find helpful.
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References:
- Van Dijk, S. (2013). DBT made simple: A step-by-step guide to dialectical behavior therapy. New Harbinger Publications.
