DBT Effectiveness Mindfulness "How" Skill (PDF)

The effectiveness skill is a DBT mindfulness “how” skill that focuses on what works in a given situation, rather than focusing on rigid beliefs or emotions to work closer to a certain goal. This skill is about letting go of rigid thinking and having a more flexible and adaptive mindset. This is related to experiencing positive emotions — you feel good when you get things done intentionally and efficiently. The DBT Effectiveness Mindfulness "How" Skill handout starts with a brief explanation of how the skill works and then provides a list of tips on getting things done. At the bottom of the handout, clients can explore more strategies to practice effectiveness. This includes being mindful of their thoughts, using radical acceptance, and noticing when they start feeling angry. This handout helps kids and teens focus on being truly effective by doing what works rather than what they prefer. For instance, your child can prepare a to-do list of their homework assignments, which aligns with their academic goals. Let them cross off completed tasks to reinforce the effectiveness of their approach. A helpful add-on is our DBT “How” Skills Worksheets, which include a 1-page effectiveness worksheet to support application of the skills from this handout. You can also purchase our DBT “How” Skills handout for a quick reference to all three mindfulness “how” skills. *This item is an instant digital download. A link to download your files will be emailed to you once payment is confirmed. Want more resources like this? Check out our full catalog of DBT worksheets and handouts. References: Friederichs, K. M., Jostmann, N. B., Kühl, J., & Baumann, N. (2023). The art of getting things done: Training affective shifting improves intention enactment. Emotion, 23(3), 651–663. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0001128