DBT Distress Tolerance Skills List

What is a DBT Distress Tolerance Skills List?

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy that focuses on the psychosocial aspects of treatment, helping patients identify and change patterns of behavior that are not helpful. One of the key facets of DBT is developing distress tolerance skills.

Distress tolerance is a person's ability to manage actual or perceived emotional distress. Rather than avoiding or escaping from distressing situations, DBT helps individuals to accept and tolerate distress as a natural part of life. DBT proposes several strategies, such as distraction, self-soothing, and considering pros and cons, to improve one's distress tolerance.

Therapists may assign patients to practice different distress tolerance skills in-session and at home using a. This checklist may include distracting oneself from distress, self-soothing through mindful and calming activities, improving the moment, accepting reality, and so on.

Practicing DBT distress tolerance skills can help individuals develop the skills needed to cope with and tolerate difficult emotions and experiences. In turn, this can help them become better equipped to deal with distressing situations in the future.

How does it work?

Carepatron's free printable DBT Distress Tolerance Skills List is fully digital and easy to use. Follow these steps to use the template:

Step One: Access the template

Get a copy of the DBT Distress Tolerance Skills List through the link provided on this page. You can also download it via the Carepatron app or our resource library.

Step Two: Discuss the list with your client

Explain to your client how the DBT Distress Tolerance Skills List works. Tell them the skills listed are designed to help them manage emotional crises.

Step Three: Client uses the skills list

Provide your client plenty of time to work through the list and practice the skills they need. You can also use additional DBT resources to help them complete their distress tolerance tasks.

Step Four: Track progress and assess results

Monitor your client's progress regularly with specific measurements for improvement. This will help you adjust the skills as needed and ensure that your client gets the most out of their DBT Distress Tolerance Skills List.

DBT Distress Tolerance Skills List Example (Sample)

We've prepared a DBT Distress Tolerance Skills List PDF sample to illustrate how to use our template. This sample can be a reference when supporting your clients in DBT sessions or for educational purposes. You can access the sample here or download the PDF version.

Download the free DBT Distress Tolerance Skills List Example (Sample)

When to use DBT Distress Tolerance Skills List?

Carepatron's free DBT Distress Tolerance Skills List can help your clients cope with overwhelming emotions. It is especially useful when a person needs to learn healthy, effective ways to manage stressful situations. Moreover, you can use this template to:

Manage high emotional intensity

This DBT Distress Tolerance Skills List helps your clients learn how to manage their emotions healthily and prevent themselves from getting overwhelmed. It encourages them to focus on the present moment and use coping strategies for intense emotional situations.

Practice problem-solving skills

This template teaches your clients how to think outside the box regarding difficult, high-intensity scenarios. By practicing their problem-solving skills, they can better understand how to approach stressful situations in the future.

Develop a sense of independence

The DBT Distress Tolerance Skills List encourages your clients to rely on themselves and not on others for emotional support. This way, they become more self-reliant and independent while managing intense emotions.

Increase resilience

You can use this template to help increase your client’s emotional resilience and encourage them to take a proactive approach to difficult situations. They can then develop the skills to stay calm and manage their emotions healthily.

Benefits of the free DBT Distress Tolerance Skills List

Here are some advantages of Carepatron's free DBT Distress Tolerance Skills List:

It's entirely digital and easy to use

Our free template is fully digital, making it easier for you to access and use with your clients. Plus, its simple layout lets you quickly get the information you need without any hassle.

It's customizable

You can customize this template according to your client’s needs and preferences. You can add or remove skills as needed so you can create a DBT skills list that can help your clients in the best way possible.

It's cost-effective

Our template is free to use, reducing overhead costs for your practice. More importantly, it saves time, allowing you to focus more on providing effective service to your clients rather than laboring over cumbersome paperwork.

It encourages therapist-client communication

This template is a great communication tool between you and your clients. It makes it easier to pinpoint areas of improvement, track progress, and discuss concerns, resulting in a more effective and transparent therapeutic relationship.

Why choose Carepatron as your DBT Distress Tolerance Skills List app?

As a mental health professional, your time is precious - it's your most valuable resource. You've dedicated your career to helping others navigate their emotional and psychological challenges, and every minute spent managing your practice is a minute that could have been spent with a patient. That's where Carepatron comes in.

Our DBT Distress Tolerance Skills List software is specifically designed to streamline all operational aspects of your practice, from appointment scheduling to billing, so you can better focus on your patients. Carepatron allows you to automate mundane tasks, effectively manage your appointments, securely store patient records, and even facilitate telehealth services - all from one intuitive DBT Distress Tolerance Skills List app. 

But don't just take our word for it. Experience the difference Carepatron can make in your practice. Sign up today and discover how Carepatron can help you reclaim your time, enhance your productivity, and ultimately provide better patient care.

Try out Carepatron today and elevate your practice to new heights!