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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).Interpersonal effect Iv eness Handout 9   (I. E. Worksheet 7) (p. 1 of 2)
Troubleshooting:  
When What You Are Doing Isn’t Working
1Do I have the skills I need? Check out the instructions.
Review what has already been tried.
• •Do I know how to be skillful in getting what I want?
• •Do I know how to say what I want to say?
• •Do I follow the skill instructions to the letter?
2 Do I know what I really want in this interaction?Ask:
• •Am I undecided about what I really want in this interaction?
• •Am I unsure of my priorities?
• •Am I having trouble balancing:
• •Asking for too much versus too little?
• •Saying no to everything versus saying yes to everything?
• •Is fear or shame getting in the way of knowing what I really want?
3 Are short-term goals getting in the way of long-term goals?Ask:
• •Is “now, now, now ” winning out over getting what I really want in the 
future?
• •Is emotion mind controlling what I say and do instead of 
wISe
 MInD?
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