DBT Coping Skills List
Discover how to use Carepatron's DBT Coping Skills List template to help your clients deal with difficult situations. Download our free PDF guide today.
What is a DBT Coping Skills List?
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy that emphasizes developing coping skills to manage emotional turbulence and reduce self-destructive behaviors. It combines standard cognitive-behavioral techniques with concepts of distress tolerance, acceptance, and mindful awareness primarily derived from Buddhist meditative practice.
DBT aims to teach patients how to regulate emotions, stay present in the moment, improve interpersonal effectiveness, and handle distressing situations more effectively. These acquired skills can help individuals lead healthier and more productive lives, fostering emotional resilience and a balanced state of mind.
During sessions, therapists may use a DBT Coping Skills List to help their clients identify techniques they can use to address distressing situations. This list may include techniques such as self-soothing, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and mindful awareness. These skills will be adapted to the individual's needs and can be used when coping skills are needed.
Using a DBT Coping Skills List allows clients to develop an effective strategy that will help them manage their emotions, stay present in the moment, and respond to stressful situations more effectively.
Printable DBT Coping Skills List
Download this DBT Coping Skills List to help clients improve their coping skills.
How does it work?
Our printable DBT Coping Skills List offers your clients diverse DBT techniques and strategies. Here's how to use the template:
Step One: Access the DBT Coping Skills List
Download the DBT Coping Skills List using the provided link. It's also accessible via the Carepatron app or our handy resource library.
Step Two: Explain its purpose
Discuss the purpose and structure of the list with your client. Clarify that it's intended to supplement their DBT treatment and provide easy access to helpful coping skills.
Step Three: Client engages with the DBT Coping Skills List
Give ample time for your client to work through the coping skills list. Ensure they grasp each section and extend support as needed.
Step Four: Evaluate and track progress
Maintain communication with your client as they navigate the DBT Coping Skills List. Encourage them to document their progress and make necessary adjustments.
Step Five: Apply new skills in practice
Collaborate with your client to devise a plan for integrating newly acquired skills into their daily routine. This process will likely involve practice and repetition.
DBT Coping Skills List Example (Sample)
We've prepared a sample DBT Coping Skills List in PDF. You can use this sample as a reference when assisting your client during DBT sessions or for educational purposes. You can view the sample here or download the PDF copy.
Download the free DBT Coping Skills List Example (Sample)

When to use the DBT Coping Skills List?
You can use our free DBT Coping Skills List template to help your client find the right coping skills for their needs. You can also utilize it to:
Assist your client during high-stress situations
The DBT Coping Skills List can be handy when your client confronts stressful or triggering events. They can refer to this list and employ the coping skills they find most effective.
Help in therapy homework
The list can be useful for therapy assignments between sessions. Clients can practice the coping skills outlined on the list, helping reinforce their learning.
Encourage self-reflection
The list can inspire introspection, allowing clients to identify behavioral and emotional patterns. This awareness can guide them toward the most beneficial coping skills.
Support during a crisis or emotional distress
The DBT Coping Skills List is a great resource for clients experiencing emotional distress or a crisis, providing them with effective strategies to manage their responses.
Benefits of the free DBT Coping Skills List
Here are some benefits of our free DBT Coping Skills List:
It's pre-made and customizable
The DBT Coping Skills List is available in an easy-to-access PDF format that you can customize according to your client's needs. You can tweak the list to include your client's most appropriate coping strategies.
It's based on DBT principles
The list is designed with Dialectical Behavior Therapy in mind, so you can trust that it provides effective and evidence-based methods of dealing with intense situations.
It's versatile
You can use the template in a variety of settings, from individual therapy to group activities. It's also an excellent tool for teaching mindfulness, acceptance, and other DBT principles.
It helps with progress tracking
The template is an effective way for you and your client to track progress. By ticking off the coping strategies they've successfully employed, clients can gain a sense of achievement and see tangible proof of their progress.
Why Choose Carepatron as your DBT Coping Skills List app?
With Carepatron, you can streamline your practice and focus on what matters most—providing exceptional care to your clients.
Our comprehensive DBT Coping Skills List software is designed specifically for mental health professionals like you, offering a suite of features, including scheduling, billing, telehealth, and client communication tools, all within a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform.
But that's not all. At Carepatron, we understand that every practice is unique, which is why we offer customizable features to suit your specific needs. Moreover, we believe in fostering a collaborative work environment, and our software reflects this belief by enabling seamless team collaboration.
Explore Carepatron’s DBT Coping Skills List app to revolutionize your practice. Experience the convenience of having all your practice management needs met in one place and the peace of mind that comes with knowing robust security measures guard your sensitive client data.
Make the switch to Carepatron today and discover a smarter, faster, and more efficient way to manage your practice!

Commonly asked questions
Mental health professionals specializing in dialectical behavior therapy can use DBT Coping Skills List to guide clients in effectively addressing their challenges.
DBT Coping Skills Lists can help clients express and manage emotions, work towards resolving interpersonal conflicts, enhance awareness of their thoughts and feelings, and develop healthier problem-solving strategies.
You can use a DBT Coping Skills List as part of your overall therapeutic practice. It's especially useful when trying to help clients develop healthier coping strategies when they feel overwhelmed or emotionally dysregulated.