In dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), distress tolerance refers to the ability to cope with uncomfortable emotions.
Our worksheet ACCEPTS: DBT distress tolerance skills uses an acronym to introduce seven strategies for managing distressing emotions, including:
- distracting oneself in various ways
- shifting attention to others
- creating a competing emotion
- focusing on physical sensations
The second page of the worksheet invites clients to write their own ideas for a personalized ACCEPTS plan. You may want to brainstorm options with clients in session and then follow up after they’ve had a chance to practice the coping skills.
This is an ideal resource for clients who would like a structured approach to managing anxiety or emotion dysregulation.
For further support, consider having clients use our Coping Skills Log or our more extensive Distress Tolerance: DBT skills worksheet.
