Activities, Contributing, Comparison, Emotions, Pushing Away, Thoughts, and Sensations are important key points of the ACCEPTS skill, and help individuals develop emotional resilience and overcome distressing emotions through distraction. The ACCEPTS skill decreases negative emotions such as anxiety or anger and allows clients to regulate their emotions and increase their decision-making skills.
The DBT ACCEPTS Worksheet includes questions and statements that encourage clients to reflect and write down their chosen activities for each category. Users are asked to include positive activities that require thought or concentration, comparing previous or present struggles, or tuning in to physical sensations that distract them from distressing emotions.
At the end of the activity, clients will learn to practice emotional regulation and healthy coping skills, which can improve decision-making, self-awareness, and compassion. This is best to pair with the DBT ACCEPTS handout to guide them in learning about activities to distract themselves from distressing emotions until they pass.
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References:
- Gillespie, C., Murphy, M., Kells, M., & Flynn, D. (2022). Individuals who report having benefitted from dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT): a qualitative exploration of processes and experiences at long-term follow-up. Borderline Personality Disorder and Emotion Dysregulation, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40479-022-00179-9
- O’Hayer, C. V. F. (2021). Building a life worth living during a pandemic and beyond Adaptations of Comprehensive DBT to COVID-19. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 28(4), 588–596. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2020.12.005
- Linehan, M. M. (2014). DBT skills training handouts and worksheets. Guilford Publications.
