Consequences of Urges DBT Worksheet

What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy is a type of evidence-based psychotherapy developed by Marsha M. Linehan, a psychologist, in the 1980s. It was originally used to treat clients with Bipolar Disorder; but because of the evolution and adaptation of the approach, it is now used to treat clients with other mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and substance abuse.

The approach utilizes elements of acceptance and change to help people learn how to accept their emotions/desires while working towards making more positive changes in their life. This is done through an approach that’s a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness practices, as well as Eastern philosophical concepts.

There are three well-known techniques that DBT uses. They are individual sessions, group therapy sessions, and telephone crisis/phone coaching.

DBT’s main goal is to help clients develop four major skills:

• Mindfulness, which includes awareness and acceptance of present thoughts and feelings
• Distress tolerance is the capability to get through challenging times without resorting to self-destructive coping techniques.
• Interpersonal Effectiveness, which is knowing what you’re feeling and being firm in what you want to improve your relationship with yourself and others
• Emotional Regulation, which is knowing how to deal with the primary or first reaction before it turns into other emotions that may follow

Dialectical Behavior Therapy sessions are usually conducted by psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, and therapists with a DBT certification.

How to use the Consequences of Urges DBT Worksheet:

Access and Download the Template

To access and download a digital and printable version of the Consequences of Urges DBT Worksheet, you may do either of the following:

• Click the “Download Template” or “Use Template” button
• Search “Consequences of Urges DBT Worksheet” in the search bar on Carepatron’s template library in the website or app

Explain the Template

Though the template is straightforward, you should explain the parts of the template to the client and provide them with the following steps or tips when completing the worksheet:

• Complete one box before going to the next rather than doing them simultaneously.
• If there are any overlaps, they may ignore them and keep writing until they finish.
• Go through any feelings that may arise and remind themselves that they are simply feelings.
• Don’t compare the quantities of the boxes or feel pressured to keep adding until they reach a particular number

Fill the Template

Once the client understands, they may complete the worksheet, including the reflection part under the table. It’s best to give the client time and space to answer it on their own but also to remind them that they are free to ask you if they need any clarification.

Discuss with the Patient

When the client is finished with the template, you may discuss the answers with the client if they’re comfortable or inform them of how they may use the completed worksheet to their advantage. You may tell them that they may use the content to help before they experience/act upon their next urge or after to remind them of the consequences of acting on their urges.

Securely Store

To ensure that the sensitive information on the completed worksheet is safe, remind your client to store the physical copy in a secure location or the digital copy on Carepatron where only you, the referring physician, can access the worksheet when needed.

When would you use this Consequences of Urges DBT Worksheet?

Practitioners such as psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, psychologists, social workers, family therapists, or any therapist who has a DBT certification may use the Consequences of Urges DBT Worksheet when they have clients who are self-aware of their harmful/self-destructive behaviors and are capable of reflecting or stepping back when they feel an urge.

Though we leave it up to the practitioner’s expertise to decide who they will give a copy of the worksheet, if they need ideas, the worksheet may be given to clients who are experiencing urges of harmful activities such as cutting themselves, overeating, drinking, practicing unsafe sex, etc.

What are the benefits of using this Consequences of Urges DBT Worksheet?

Improved Self-Awareness

One of the purposes of the Consequences of Urges DBT Worksheet is to be used as a client’s reminder of the pros or cons of acting on an urge and the consequences of acting on the said urge. Knowing when to bring out the resource requires self-awareness. The exercise of stepping back before or if they act on the urge and reviewing their answers consequently helps them improve their self-awareness.

Positive Habit Forming

With the worksheet, they’re not only forming the positive habit of being more self-aware, as mentioned in the previous point but also, if they decide to resist acting upon a harmful urge, they are forming the habit of choosing to act in a way that’ll benefit their health.

Tracking Progress

After a certain period of time, the completed worksheet can be used to track progress and see if the exercise and accompanying additional DBT sessions are helpful and effective. You may use this to compare the client’s thought process and habits when they used to have an urge to how they currently cope when they feel such urges.

Entirely Digital and Easily Accessible

The Consequences of Urges DBT worksheet isn’t only free, but it’s also printable and can be completed digitally. If you and your client agree to keep it as a digital file, they can easily access it on any gadget they have on hand when they have urges.