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DBT STOP Skill Handout

The document outlines the STOP skill, a technique for managing distress by encouraging individuals to pause, step back, observe their thoughts and feelings, and proceed mindfully. It emphasizes the importance of remaining in control and acting with awareness rather than reacting impulsively. The content is adapted from DBT Skills Training materials by Marsha M. Linehan.

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Jose Zuniga
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2K views1 page

DBT STOP Skill Handout

The document outlines the STOP skill, a technique for managing distress by encouraging individuals to pause, step back, observe their thoughts and feelings, and proceed mindfully. It emphasizes the importance of remaining in control and acting with awareness rather than reacting impulsively. The content is adapted from DBT Skills Training materials by Marsha M. Linehan.

Uploaded by

Jose Zuniga
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • STOP Skill

DISTRESS TOLERANCE HANDOUT 4

(Distress Tolerance Worksheets 2, 2a) 373–273 . pp ;

STOP Skill

S top Do not just react. Stop! Freeze! Do not move a


muscle! Your emotions may try to make you act
without thinking. Stay in control!

T ake a step back Take a step back from the situation. Take a break. Let
go. Take a deep breath. Do not let your feelings make
you act impulsively.

O bserve Notice what is going on inside and outside you. What


is the situation? What are your thoughts and feelings?
What are others saying or doing?

P roceed mindfully Act with awareness. In deciding what to do, consider


your thoughts and feelings, the situation, and other
people’s thoughts and feelings. Think about your
goals. Ask Wise Mind: Which actions will make it
better or worse?

Note. Adapted from an unpublished worksheet by Francheska Perepletchikova and Seth Axelrod, with their permission.

From DBT Skills Training Handouts and Worksheets, Second Edition, by Marsha M. Linehan. Copyright 2015 by Marsha M. Linehan. Permis-
sion to photocopy this handout is granted to purchasers of DBT Skills Training Handouts and Worksheets, Second Edition, and DBT Skills
Training Manual, Second Edition, for personal use and use with individual clients only. (See page ii of this packet for details.)

Common questions

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The STOP skill involves four key steps: Stop, Take a Step Back, Observe, and Proceed Mindfully. Each step plays a critical role in distress tolerance by halting impulsive reactions (Stop), creating mental and physical space to gather thoughts (Take a Step Back), increasing awareness of internal and external environments (Observe), and making thoughtful decisions on how to proceed (Proceed Mindfully). Collectively, these steps help maintain self-control during emotional distress by encouraging rational and goal-oriented actions .

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