x • acknowledgments
and to those among them who gave enough feedback for me to make needed revi -
sions in the skills being taught.
The clients who gave feedback were, for the most part, individuals at high risk 
for suicide. I thank the University of Washington Human Subjects Division, which 
has never even once impeded my research treating individuals at extremely high risk for suicide. Their willingness to allow such high-risk research when other universi -
ties often do not sets an example and made this book possible.
Last, but certainly not least, I want to thank my copy editor, Marie Sprayberry, 
Senior Editor Barbara Watkins, Executive Editor Kathyrn Moore, and the staff at The Guilford Press. In getting this manual out in a timely fashion they each had 
occasion to practice all the distress tolerance skills in this book. Their concern for 
this book and for this form of treatment was evident at every step.
Alas, it is likely that I have forgotten or accidently left out one or more individu -
als who have contributed to this book. If so, please let me know so I can include you in future editions.