No More Therapy Whack-a-mole!
Too often, this causes a phenomenon I call therapy whack-a-mole – you spend each session taking care of the biggest problems that popped up this week, but you never seem to make any real progress with the client.
The diary card is a simple DBT tool that will help you hone in on what is most important to deal with right now. DBT uses diary cards to track anything that is important to your client’s well-being, treatment, and/or process of change as well as the skills they practice. In many ways the diary card is like an abbreviated journal that guides progress, and it provides a wealth of information that allows the therapist support and set priorities for time in session together.
Some DBT therapists and programs use a standard diary card that monitors issues common to DBT clients, and other therapists and programs create specialized diary cards for particular client populations (e.g., children, adolescents, people with chronic pain) or even for each individual client.
Standard diary cards track key areas of concern for DBT clients, including self-injurious and therapy-interfering behaviors. Diary cards also have space to list the skills practiced, space to write down feelings, and space to record gratefulness. Some therapists and programs will also have clients monitor their treatment goals and objectives on the diary card.
Diary cards are typically completed every day, preferably at the same time, with information from the previous 24 hours from time it is filled out. Most people spend 5 to 15 minutes to thoughtfully complete the card.
Diary cards are a great aid to help clients reach their goals. Additional benefits of consistent use include:
- What clients track and monitor on the diary card is what changes. Observing and describing what they experience and being accountable to themselves to practice skills keeps them moving forward.
- Clients will notice patterns in their emotions, urges, and symptoms over time, and this awareness will make them more effective in using their skills.
- Clients will be able to validate their emotions and reinforce efforts and effective skill use, eventually seeing positive changes over time.
- When something is not improving, or even getting worse, clients can rally their resources and skills around addressing it.
- Clients and therapists can quickly see what is happening and determine priorities, which will better guide sessions and make better use of time together.
I’d like to share some free examples of standard diary cards and blank diary cards for you to customize for your client population, as well as instructions for use. Click here to download the free worksheets and to watch the free video.
YOU can be the therapist finally able to help them break through severe and chronic problems including personality disorders, self-destructive behaviors and more!
By completing Dr. Pederson's Certified Dialectical Behavior Therapy Professional (CDBT) Training available in a convenient online format, designed to fit seamlessly into your busy schedule.
When you complete this intensive training, you'll be prepared to effectively apply proven DBT techniques and tools in your practice in a flexible way, specific to your client population, to improve treatment outcomes and your practice.
Plus, you can end this course and become a Certified Dialectical Behavior Therapy Professional (CDBT) at no additional cost to you!
Lane Pederson, PsyD, LP, C-DBT, has provided Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) training and consultation to over 30,000 professionals in the United States, Australia, South Africa, England, Canada, Mexico, and the Middle East through his training and consultation company, Lane Pederson and Associates, LLC (www.DrLanePederson.com). A real world practitioner, Dr. Pederson co-owns Mental Health Systems, PC (MHS), one of the largest DBT-specialized practices in the United States with four clinic locations in Minnesota (www.mhs-dbt.com). At MHS, Dr. Pederson has developed DBT programs for adolescents, adults, people with dual disorders, and people with developmental disabilities. He has served as clinical and training directors, has directed practice-based clinical outcome studies, and has overseen the care of thousands of clients in need of intensive outpatient services.
Dr. Pederson’s DBT publications include The Expanded Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training Manual, 2nd Edition: DBT for Self-Help and Individual & Group Treatment Settings (PESI, 2017); Dialectical Behavior Therapy: A Contemporary Guide for Practitioners (Wiley, 2015); Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training for Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment Settings (PESI, 2013) and The DBT Deck for Clients and Therapists: 101 Mindful Practices to Manage Distress, Regulate Emotions & Build Better Relationships (PESI, 2019).
Notable organizations he has trained for include Walter Reed National Military Hospital, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the Ontario Psychological Association, the Omid Foundation, and Psychotherapy Networker. He has provided DBT training for community mental health agencies, chemical dependency treatment centers, hospital and residential care settings, and to therapists in forensic settings. Dr. Pederson also co-owns Acacia Therapy and Health Training (www.AcaciaTraining.co.za) in South Africa. Dr. Pederson currently serves on the advisory board for the doctorial counseling program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and is a peer reviewer for Forensic Scholars Today.
Lane Pederson is not affiliated or associated with Marsha M. Linehan, PhD, ABPP, or her organization.
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Lane Pederson maintains private practice and is the founder and CEO of Dialectical Behavior Therapy National Certification and Accreditation Association. He receives compensation as a national speaker and receives royalties as a published author. Lane Pederson receives a speaking honorarium, recording, and book royalties from PESI, Inc. He has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Lane Pederson has no relevant non-financial relationships.
