Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills of the Stages of Change

So recently I was talking with my supervisor about the combination of these two and he asked me to come up with a chart providing direction to just which of the DBT skills would work for each stage. As a system we are now great at identifying what stage our clients are in. But we may not know what to do exactly after we figure that out to assist them in moving to the next stage. These skills will help you do that!

Precontemplation:

- Pros and cons

- Non-judgmental stance

- Observe

- Mindfulness

- Effectiveness

- Alternate rebellion

- Wisemind

Contemplation:

- Dearman

- Strong

- Describe

- Self-soothe

- Sacred self

- Wisemind

Preparation:

- Building structure work

- Building structure place

- Participate

- Fast

- Burning bridges

- Wisemind

Action:

- Give

- Building mastery

- Distract/accepts

- Building structure love

- Clear mind

- Wisemind

Maintenance:

- Radical acceptance

- Building structure time

- One-mindfully

- Building positive experiences

- Wisemind

- Improve the moment

- Opposite to emotion action

For more information about DBT and Stages of Change:

The Transformer Blog

Skills Manual for Treating Borderline Personality Disorder

by Marsha Linehan, Ph.D.

Motivational Interviewing, Third Edition, Helping People Change

by William R. Miller and Stephen Rollnick