The PLEASE skills in DBT decrease vulnerability to emotional dysregulation by taking care of the body. The acronym PLEASE stands for treating Physical ilLness, balanced Eating, avoid mood-Altering substances, balanced Sleep, and get Exercise. The idea is that having a healthy mind starts with taking care of the body.
The DBT PLEASE Skills Handout teaches clients ways to meet their physical needs, such as visiting the doctor if they feel unwell, eating in moderation, avoiding substances with negative effects, sleeping well, and engaging in regular exercise.
This handout helps kids and teens appreciate the importance of self-care activities, and making them a priority. When you introduce the topic of DBT PLEASE, you can make the concepts more engaging by providing clear and relatable examples. For example, for balanced eating, explain how having a long day at school can make them feel irritable, and that eating a nutritious snack and dinner — such as nuts, poultry, and avocados — can improve their mood and energy.
Our DBT PLEASE Skills worksheet can support further application of this handout.
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References:
- Linehan, M. (2014). DBT? Skills training manual. Guilford Publications.
- Mazza, J. J., Dexter-Mazza, E. T., Miller, A. L., Rathus, J. H., & Murphy, H. E. (2016). DBT? Skills in schools: Skills training for emotional problem solving for adolescents Dbt Steps-a. Guilford Publications.
