The FAST skill is an interpersonal effectiveness skill in DBT that stands for (being) Fair, (no) Apologies, Sticking to your values, and (being) Truthful. This skill focuses on maintaining self-respect by keeping your values and beliefs intact in a relationship. Self-respect leads to behaviors that promote independence, self-control, and moral integrity.
The DBT FAST Skill PDF handout includes a brief introduction to the FAST skill which teaches clients how to handle an interaction without sacrificing their values. Each acronym provides specific tips on applying the skill, such as learning how to be fair and non-judgmental, or only apologizing when you truly wronged someone.
Using this handout helps kids and teens to be reminded to act mindfully during interactions and communicate their request without compromising their values and self-respect. After reading the handout together, adults can remind their child that when they have a healthy sense of self-respect, they can make better choices in life.
This handout can be paired with our FAST DBT Worksheets to allow for further reflection on situations that require the skill.
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References:
- Kumashiro, M., Finkel, E. J., & Rusbult, C. E. (2002). Self‐Respect and Pro‐Relationship behavior in marital relationships. Journal of Personality, 70(6), 1009–1050. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6494.05030
- Lin, W., Lin, Y., Huang, C., & Chen, L. H. (2014). We can make it better: “We” moderates the relationship between a compromising style in interpersonal conflict and Well-Being. Journal of Happiness Studies, 17(1), 41–57. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-014-9582-8
- Roland, C. E., & Foxx, R. M. (2003). Self-respect: A neglected concept. Philosophical Psychology, 16(2), 247–288. https://doi.org/10.1080/09515080307764
