Radical acceptance is a distress tolerance skill that aims to reduce suffering and increase a sense of freedom by learning to accept the reality of life without refusal and judgment. Radical means whole or complete, and acceptance is embracing reality – the good, and the bad, as it is. Radical acceptance is the skill that involves accepting the things you cannot change.
The DBT Radical Acceptance PDF handout offers a good introduction to accepting reality and understanding that life can be worth living even when there are painful events. This includes coping statements that help clients when circumstances and relationships change in ways that don’t resonate with them.
The goal of radical acceptance is to completely accept with your mind, heart, and body, and to focus your time and energy on things you can change. Kids and teens can learn positive affirmations by practicing radical acceptance coping statements. Mental health professionals can use this handout as a quick guide to assist clients in letting go of their anger, bitterness, or resentment.
This handout can be used alongside our DBT Radical Acceptance worksheet.
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References:
- Van Dijk, S., McKay, M., Wood, J. C., Brantley, J., MD, Fanning, P., PsyD, E. P., & PsyD, P. E. Z. O. (2023). Distress tolerance made easy: Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills for Dealing with Intense Emotions in Difficult Times.
- Linehan, M. M. (2014). DBT skills training handouts and worksheets. Guilford Publications.
- Weinberg, E. (2021). Good Psychiatric Management and Dialectical Behavior Therapy: A Clinician’s Guide to Integration and Stepped Care. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 74(1), 46–47. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20200059
