Some situations in life cannot be changed, no matter how difficult or unfair they may seem. Instead of resisting reality, radical acceptance teaches clients to acknowledge what they cannot control and focus on what they can. Accepting difficult moments does not mean approving them — instead, it means choosing to let go of the struggle against what cannot be changed.
The Radical Acceptance Coping Statements poster offers helpful phrases that promote self-compassion and emotional strength. These statements include "The situation is only temporary," "This feeling will pass, and I’ll be okay," and "I won’t stress over things that I can’t change."
Practicing radical acceptance can make it easier for kids and teens to handle stress, disappointment, and uncertainty. Instead of staying stuck in frustration, they can focus on ways to help themselves feel better. They can also remind themselves that difficult moments are a normal part of life.
Therapists can encourage clients to come up with their own coping statements that feel meaningful. Setting reminders for when to use these statements will reinforce their effectiveness.
For additional statements, feel free to check out our Radical Acceptance Coping Statements handout.
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References:
- Bock, M. M., Graf, T., Woeber, V., Kothgassner, O. D., Buerger, A., & Plener, P. L. (2022). Radical acceptance of reality: Putting DBT®-A skill groups online during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.617941
- Görg, N., Priebe, K., Böhnke, J. R., Steil, R., Dyer, A. S., & Kleindienst, N. (2017). Trauma-related emotions and radical acceptance in dialectical behavior therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder after childhood sexual abuse. Borderline Personality Disorder and Emotion Dysregulation, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40479-017-0065-5
