In dialectical behavior therapy, the GIVE exercise is an acronym intended to improve interpersonal effectiveness. It stands for: 
- Gentle
- Interest
- Validate
- Easy

GIVE Exercise

Opposite action is a common exercise in dialectical behavior therapy intended to improve emotional regulation in patients. It teaches patients to be able to identify how they are feeling and then act in the opposite way. For example, if a patient is feeling anti-social and wants to withdraw from their friends and family, encourage them to do the opposite and instead reach out and make plans with them.

Opposite Action Exercise

This skill is meant to help patients be able to soothe and calm themselves in moments of distress. It includes encouraging patients to use their senses to focus on what they see, hear, feel, smell, and taste around them to help them ground themselves in moments of crisis and distress.

Self-Soothe Skill in Crisis Survival Skills Within Distress Tolerance of Dialectical Behavior Therapy

- GIVE exercise
- Opposite action
- Distraction
- Improving the moment
- Self-soothing
- Thinking of the pros and cons of not tolerating distress
- Radical acceptance

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Evidence-based psychotherapy originally developed to treat individuals with borderline personality disorder and chronically suicidal individuals. Treatment focuses on mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy 

Schimelpfening, N. (2021, July 9). What is dialectical behavior therapy (dbt)? Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/dialectical-behavior-therapy-1067402. 

What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?

Though dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) was initially developed as a treatment for chronically suicidal individuals and was first validated with women who have borderline personality disorder (BPD), it has shown to be effective for a variety of populations. These populations include:

•Individuals with BPD

•Individuals with drug or alcohol addictions

•Individuals with eating disorders


 Populations that Benefit from Dialectical Behavior Therapy

- Radically open dialectical behavior therapy

Variations of Dialectical Behavior Therapy

- Enhancing capabilities
- Generalizing capabilities
- Improving motivation and reducing dysfunctional behaviors
- Enhancing and maintaining therapist capabilities and motivation
- Structuring the environment

Five Functions of Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Dialectical Behavior Therapy Exercises

One goal of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is to enhance the capabilities of the patient receiving treatment. This is achieved through the teaching of skills within each of the 4 modules or groups outlined below.
- Mindfulness 
- Emotional regulation
- Distress Tolerance
- Interpersonal effectiveness

Skills Modules in Dialectical Behavior Therapy

DBT facilitates one to practice self-acceptance and initiate self-change through obtaining relevant skills and cultivating dialectical thinking. 

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