Opposite Action

Opposite Action is a core Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skill designed to help clients gain control over intense or unhelpful emotions by changing how they respond to them. When emotions don’t fit the facts, last too long, or lead to ineffective behaviors, acting opposite to the emotional urge can shift the emotional experience itself.

In this eBook, you’ll learn how to apply Opposite Action in a clear, structured way to support emotion regulation and behavior change for your clients.

You’ll learn how to:

• Identify emotional action urges and assess whether they fit the facts

• Help clients choose when to change emotions vs. accept them

• Guide clients to take effective opposite actions to reduce emotional intensity