Dialectical thinking is about understanding that life isn’t always black and white and that two different ideas, feelings, or perspectives can both be true at the same time. It teaches clients to see the bigger picture, consider diverse viewpoints, and respect all perspectives. This is a key concept in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and particularly within lessons on Walking The Middle Path.
The Dialectical Thinking Poster shows clients that opposites can coexist. It provides examples of statements, such as “I can improve myself AND I can accept myself how I am.”
Practicing dialectical thinking can help young people manage tough situations with more care and understanding. By using it daily, they can develop open-mindedness, manage strong emotions, and handle conflicts more effectively.
Caring adults can use this poster as a starting point for discussions about handling conflicts or exploring different views on various topics. They can also pass along our Dialectical Thinking worksheet, or share our handout that provides tips to find the middle path.
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Want more resources like this? Check out our full catalog of DBT worksheets and handouts.
References:
- Frischherz, B. (2024). Ethics and dialectical thinking. The Routledge International Handbook of Dialectical Thinking, 188-202. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003317340-17
- Veraksa, N., & Basseches, M. (2022). Dialectical thinking. Early Childhood Research and Education: An Inter-theoretical Focus, 41-64. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-05747-2_4
- Zheng, W., Yu, A., Li, D., Fang, P., & Peng, K. (2021). Cultural differences in mixed emotions: The role of dialectical thinking. Frontiers in Psychology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.538793
