Radical acceptance is a distress tolerance skill that helps clients accept a situation they cannot control without trying to fight it. It can be hard to accept painful situations immediately, without having an emotional response. However, radical acceptance suggests acknowledging your present situation as it is without being critical or judgmental of yourself or the situation. This can help clients be more accepting and open to reality.
The DBT Radical Acceptance worksheet asks guiding questions, such as what caused the situation and its effect, and prompts users to think of radical acceptance coping statements at the end of the activity. This worksheet can be used by kids and teens to start identifying and accepting situations without judgment by allowing them to explore a better way to accept and cope with their suffering.
This worksheet helps to increase awareness of situations where acceptance would be helpful, and promotes positive thinking patterns and behaviors. Kids and teens can discuss their thoughts and feelings with caring adults after answering the worksheet.
Our Radical Acceptance handout is a helpful visual aid to pair alongside this 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.
- Lozier, C. (2018). DBT Therapeutic Activity Ideas for Working with Teens: Skills and Exercises for Working with Clients with Borderline Personality Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, and Other Emotional Sensitivities. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
- 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
