Pros and cons distress tolerance skills involve thinking about the positive or negative course of action toward an unhealthy urge. This skill is a good tool for thinking through the short-term and long-term consequences of an action. Without carefully weighing the pros and cons, individuals are likely to make impulsive choices that may lead to harmful consequences.
The DBT Pros And Cons Skill handout gives a simple overview of this skill. It explains the pros and cons skill in three steps - describe the impulsive behavior the client is trying to avoid, make a list of the pros and cons of giving in to the behavior, and lastly, create a list of pros and cons of resisting the behavior.
This handout can help kids and teens make more logical decisions rather than emotional ones. They can list their pros and cons on a separate sheet of paper, while caring adults can support them in turning to the pros and cons skill during distressing moments.
The skill can be further applied with our DBT Pros and Cons Worksheet.
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References:
- Lp, J. E. P. (2015b). Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training with Adolescents: A Practical Workbook for Therapists, Teens & Parents. PESI Publishing & Media.
- Linehan, M. M. (2014). DBT skills training handouts and worksheets. Guilford Publications.
- Chapman, A., Gratz, K., & Tull, M. (2011). The dialectical behavior therapy skills workbook for anxiety: Breaking free from worry, panic, PTSD, and other anxiety symptoms. New Harbinger Publications.
