WWMD?
You’re at a 9/10 emotionally and about to send a rage text.
What would Marsha do?
STOP or TIPP (full credit for either if justified)
Give an example where following your emotion actually IS Wise Mind.
When the emotion fits the facts and acting on the urge is effective (e.g., fear leading you away from genuine danger).
Someone keeps saying, "This shouldn't have happened." Which DBT skill would target this?
Radical Acceptance
You’re overwhelmed and don’t know what you’re feeling.
What skill would be effective?
Check the Facts or Mindfulness of Current Emotion
Which creates more suffering: emotional pain or judgment about emotional pain?
Judgment and nonacceptance often create more suffering.
You want to self-harm because you feel numb and empty.
What skill would Marsha use?
TIPP (if high intensity) OR Pros & Cons (if not physiologically escalated)
Why can Reasonable Mind sometimes be just as ineffective as Emotion Mind?
It can invalidate emotions, ignore important values, damage relationships, and prevent emotional processing.
Which TIPP skill changes body chemistry the fastest?
Temperature (cold water/ice).
You’re angry and it fits the facts — but acting on it will destroy a relationship.
What do you do now?
Opposite Action to the ineffective urge
According to the Biosocial Theory, what two factors interact to produce chronic emotion dysregulation?
Biological emotional vulnerability and an invalidating environment.
You acted on a target behavior and you’re not sure what you could have done differently or how to manage future triggers?
What would Marsha do?
Behavioral Analysis (BA)
You feel furious after getting criticized. Your Emotion Mind says quit your job. Your Reasonable Mind says ignore your feelings. What would Wise Mind likely recommend?
Validate the emotion, avoid acting impulsively, and choose an effective response.
Why is distraction considered a crisis survival skill rather than an emotion regulation skill?
Because it helps survive intense emotions temporarily without solving the problem.
What is at least one vulnerability factor (other than PLEASE skills)?
Trauma anniversary
Interpersonal conflict
Hormonal changes
Sensory issues - overstimulation
Invalidation
Environmental factors
Loss of safety
Suppressing emotions
ETC............
Why might using DEAR MAN during high emotional arousal be ineffective?
The person may not have sufficient emotional regulation to communicate effectively; distress tolerance may need to come first.
You’re feeling overwhelmed and just not sure what skill to use.
You think…what would Marsha say to do?
Phone Coaching
Name two ways someone might access Wise Mind.
Mindfulness, breathing, observing thoughts, meditation, grounding, or checking the facts.
Complete the equation:
Pain + __________ = Suffering.
Nonacceptance.
Why is Opposite Action inappropriate when an emotion fits the facts and the action urge is effective?
Because the emotion is serving its intended purpose.
Why is validation not the same as agreement?
Validation communicates that another person's experience makes sense; agreement means sharing their conclusion.
You feel like the emotion will kill you.
What state does DBT call this and what category of skills apply?
Emotion Mind + Distress Tolerance
Explain why Wise Mind is not simply a compromise between Emotion Mind and Reasonable Mind.
Wise Mind integrates both rather than splitting the difference; it reflects intuition and effectiveness.
A patient repeatedly accepts reality but continues engaging in self-destructive behavior. Which DBT concept may still need work?
Turning the Mind (continually choosing acceptance).
Name the three functions of emotions.
Motivate action, communicate to others, communicate to ourselves.
A patient uses DEAR MAN perfectly but speaks with obvious sarcasm. Which interpersonal factor or skill is missing?
GIVE (Gentle).