The DBT Skills Workbook for Teen Self-Harm

Book excerpt: Put an end to self-harming behaviors�once and for all.Do you cut or self-harm? Do you feel like it gives you a sense of control in a world where we so often feel helpless and powerless? Do you do it to distract from emotional pain, or just feel something other than total numbness? There�s a long list of reasons why you may self-harm. But regardless of the reason or the method, the truth is that self-harm is a destructive�and potentially deadly�way to deal with emotional pain. Fortunately, there are better and safer ways to manage your emotions. In The DBT Skills Workbook for Teen Self-Harm, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) expert Sheri Van Dijk offers powerful skills to help you manage your emotions, so you won�t have to rely on self-destructive behaviors. Whether you�re actively engaging in self-harm by injuring your body, or participating in other self-harming behaviors such as substance abuse or disordered eating, this workbook will help you create your own action plan for change.This workbook will guide you through four essential DBT skills: �Mindfulness shows you how to experience emotion without having to act on it �Distress tolerance teaches you how to deal with the urge to self-harm �Emotional regulation allows you to understand and control painful feelings �Interpersonal effectiveness helps you build self-respect and minimize feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness Life can be painful, but you don�t need to face this pain all on your own. With support, and the skills outlined in this workbook, you�ll gain the tools you need to manage difficult thoughts and feelings in safer, healthier ways.