Communication

Passive, Aggressive, and Assertive Communication: Most of us use each of these styles of communication throughout our lives and in different relationships in our lives. Assertive communication is characterized by respect, confidence, firmness, fairness, and a relaxed demeanor. Review the table below to learn more about each of these communication styles. Reflect on which situations and which relationships you use each of these communication styles.

PLEASE Master

Reducing vulnerability to unpleasant emotions: While all emotions serve a function and have meaning, sometimes it can be helpful to find ways to protect ourselves from “spiraling” and feeling overwhelmed. The following acronym from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is used to help us remember ways to reduce our vulnerability to “spiraling:”

Meditation for Working with Difficulties

This exercise guides the client in attending to pleasant sensation, then unpleasant, then back to pleasant, and then trying to perceive both at once. It is a good practice of shifting attention to not ruminate on pain or troubles.

Self Compassion Break Version One

Accepting our own vulnerability is made easier when give ourselves compassion. Use this self-compassion break with clients in session or encourage them to use it on their own when working with difficult or vulnerable emotions.

Walking Meditation Version One

This is a guided walking meditation.

Feeling Your Body and Mind as a Lake

Help clients experience the steadiness and continuity of their mind that is underneath mental events like emotions.

Distress Tolerance Skill, Improve the Moment

The following strategies from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) can help clients get through moments of distress by improving the moment:

Social Support

During the pandemic, a lot of us aren’t seeing as many people as we used to, and sometimes we can forget who we can reach out to. Take some time to make a list of people you can include in your social support network. Once you have your list of potential people, try to reach out to at least one person

Dropping the Suitcase of Worry and Regret

This meditation is suitable for clients who may be carrying worries about the future or regrets from their past and want to experience a break from these burdens.

Emotional Awareness Meditation

This meditation can help clients become more aware of emotions they are experiencing and practice observing those emotions through their senses.