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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 9   (Emotion Regulation Worksheet 6)
Opposite Action and Problem Solving:  
Deciding  
Which to Use
   
    
 
 
 
 Opposite action = Acting opposite to an emotion’s action urge
Problem solving = Avoiding or changing (solving) a problem event
Ask:
Does this emotion 
fit the facts?
Check the facts Ye s No
Be mindful
of current
emotions
(Emotion Regulation
Handout 22)
Act on 
emotion/
action urge
Problem-solve
unwanted
emotions
(Emotion Regulation
Handout 12)Do not act on
emotion/
action urge
Consider
opposite action
(Emotion
Regulation
Handouts 10–11)Do not act on
emotion/
action urge
Change thoughts
to fit the facts
(Emotion
Regulation
Handout 8)
Do
opposite action
(Emotion
Regulation
Handouts 10–11)Be mindful
of current
emotions
(Emotion
Regulation
Handout 22)
Act, but
accept the
consequences
gracefully
Reconsider
opposite
actionYe sNo Ye s NoAsk:
Is acting on this 
emotion effective?
Check Wise MindAsk:
Is acting on this 
emotion effective?
Check Wise Mind