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From DBT Skills Training Handouts and Worksheets, Second Edition  by Marsha M. Linehan. Copyright 2015 by Marsha M. Linehan. Permission 
to photocopy this handout is granted to purchasers of this book for personal use only (see copyright page for details).Emotion R Egu lation Handout 3   (Emotion Regulation Worksheets 2, 2a–c)
What Emotions Do for You
Emotions mo tivat E  (anD  or ganiz E) U s for ac tion
• •Emotions motivate our behavior. Emotions prepare us for action.  
The action urge of specific emotions is often “hard-wired” in biology.
• •Emotions save time in getting us to act in important situations.  
Emotions can be especially important when we don’t have time to think things through.
• •Strong emotions help us overcome obstacles—in our minds and in the environment.
Emotions co mmUn icat E  to (an D  in flU En cE) ot hEr s
• •Facial expressions are hard-wired aspects of emotions.  
Facial expressions communicate faster than words.
• •Our body language and voice tone can also be hard-wired.  
Like it or not, they also communicate our emotions to others.
• •When it is important to communicate to others, or send them a message,  
it can be very hard to change our emotions.
• •Whether we intend it or not, our communication of emotions influences others.
Emotions co mmUn icat E  to oUr sEl v Es
• •E
motional reactions can give us important information about a situation.  
Emotions can be signals or alarms that something is happening.
• •Gut feelings can be like intuition—a response to something important about the situation.