Pros and Cons DBT Worksheet

Learn how to use a Pros and Cons DBT worksheet for understanding and managing emotions and get an example of how to complete the worksheet.

By Ericka Pingol on Mar 06, 2024.

Fact Checked by RJ Gumban.

Use Template

What is a Pros and Cons DBT Worksheet?

Weighing the pros and cons of a situation can be an arduous task. It requires consideration of all the advantages and disadvantages that come along with making a certain decision. While it may be tempting to go with your gut feeling, it's essential to take a step back, analyze the facts and evaluate each side before making a choice.

In Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT), weighing pros and cons can help patients make better decisions and more effective coping strategies. DBT incorporates this idea through a Pros and Cons BBT Worksheet designed to help patients take an inventory of the pros and cons of a particular decision. This worksheet can assess emotional distress tolerance and help individuals become more mindful when making decisions.

What is DBT?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy is a modified type of CBT to teach people how to live in the present and develop healthy coping mechanisms to deal with stress and emotional regulation. DBT was originally developed for BPD but can treat disorders with self-destructive behaviors. This includes PTSD, eating disorders, and substance abuse disorders.

DBT is also commonly used across a variety of settings, including group therapy, individual 1:1 therapy, as well as online and virtual coaching or assessments. It is sometimes known as a talking therapy.

Specifically, DBT focuses on core mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness and emotion regulation, all to promote change. Clients can develop strategies, make positive interactions, analyse their behaviors, change unhelpful cognitive thoughts, and collaborate with others. DBT can enhance skills, and strengthen support to combat challenging or difficult behaviors.

Printable Pros and Cons DBT Worksheet

Download this Pros and Cons DBT Worksheet to help your clients manage their emotions.

How does this DBT Pros and Cons worksheet work?

The Pros and Cons DBT Worksheet is an effective way to help patients assess the benefits and costs of a situation. Follow these steps to get started:

Step One: Access the template

Download the Pros and Cons DBT Worksheet using the link on this page. You can access the template from the Carepatron app or our resources library.

Step Two: Give your patient a copy

Give your patient a copy of the Pros and Cons DBT Worksheet template. Explain why the worksheet is necessary and how it can help them make more mindful decisions regarding their distress tolerance.

Step Three: Patient fills in the worksheet

Ask your patient to fill in the Pros and Cons DBT Worksheet. They should list all the advantages (pros) and disadvantages (cons) of their decision.

Step Four: Assess the pros and cons

Analyze your patient's answers and help them assess the pros and cons of their decision. Discuss how each item may affect the outcome and potential associated risks or benefits.

Step Five: Create an action plan

Using a DBT Treatment Plan, outline a treatment approach for your patient. Consider the results of the worksheet when creating the treatment plan.

Pros and Cons DBT Worksheet example (sample)

We have created a Pros and Cons DBT Worksheet example to help you understand how this form works. This sample is filled out by a hypothetical patient weighing the advantages and disadvantages of tolerating and not tolerating distress. It also exhibits how to answer the questions on the worksheet and how you can analyze the results. You can view the sample here or download it as a PDF.

Download the free Pros and Cons DBT Worksheet example (sample)

Pros and Cons DBT Worksheet example (sample)

When to use these worksheets for Pros and Cons DBT?

Weighing the pros and cons of a situation involving distress tolerance can be immensely helpful in DBT. The Pros and Cons BBT Worksheet should be used when a patient has difficulty making decisions or struggles with emotional regulation. You can also use this form to:

Assess a patient's distress tolerance level

The Pros and Cons DBT Worksheet can help you determine how well a patient can tolerate distress. It can also help you assess if they are at risk of engaging in self-harming behaviors or other maladaptive coping strategies.

Help them make more mindful decisions

Using this template, you can help your patient understand the potential risks and benefits of each decision they are considering. This will enable them to make more mindful decisions that may lead to better outcomes.

Analyze how their decisions may affect the outcome of a situation

The Pros and Cons DBT Worksheet can help you assess how a patient's decision may affect the outcome of a situation. This will help them understand the potential consequences of their decisions and become more aware of how they can affect others.

Create an effective treatment plan

Using the results of this form, you can create an effective treatment plan to help your patient manage distress better. You can also use it to identify potential areas for improvement and find the best way to navigate distressful situations.

Who is this printable Pros and Cons DBT worksheet PDF for?

This free Pros and Cons DBT Worksheet is a handy tool for various healthcare professionals, such as:

  • Therapists
  • Counselors
  • Psychologists
  • Social workers
  • Occupational therapists
  • Mental health nurses
  • Physicians

It can also be used by patients and their family members looking to make mindful decisions regarding distress tolerance. However, note that this worksheet should NOT be used to diagnose or treat any mental health condition.

Physical therapy software positive feedback

Why use this DBT app?

Are you tired of using outdated methods to manage your mental health practice? Say goodbye to tedious paperwork and manual processes, and say hello to efficient, automated solutions with Carepatron!

Carepatron is the perfect practice management software for mental health practitioners, offering a wide range of features that will make running a practice more seamless. Here are just some of the handy tools that Carepatron has to offer:

  • Smart appointment scheduling. Quickly find available time slots and book appointments with a few clicks.
  • Automated billing and invoicing. No more manually preparing invoices; let Carepatron take care of it for you.
  • Online payments. Accept credit card payments and store patient information securely.
  • Robust client records. Keep detailed, up-to-date client records that are easily accessible.
  • Client portal access. Provide your clients with secure access to their records
  • Telehealth solution. Easily provide telehealth services to your clients to reduce in-office sessions.

These are just some of the features that make Carepatron a must-have for any mental health practitioner. Streamline your practice and start using a powerful, affordable solution - try Carepatron today!

Therapy software benefit
How to interpret the Pros and Cons DBT Worksheet?
How to interpret the Pros and Cons DBT Worksheet?

Commonly asked questions

How to interpret the Pros and Cons DBT Worksheet?

The Pros and Cons DBT Worksheet is a tool that helps clinicians assess their patient's distress tolerance levels. It can also help them make more mindful decisions and analyze how their actions may affect the outcome of a situation. To interpret the data from this worksheet, look for patterns in the pros and cons that can provide insights into how well a patient can tolerate distress.

What does the Pros and Cons DBT Worksheet do?

This worksheet assesses a patient's distress tolerance levels by breaking down the potential pros and cons of each decision they are considering.

How to administrate Pros and Cons DBT Worksheet?

Give your patient a copy of the template and ask them to complete it as honestly as possible. Explain the form's purpose and discuss how it can help identify their distress tolerance levels.

Join 10,000+ teams using Carepatron to be more productive

One app for all your healthcare work