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FAST Skill in DBT

FAST is a DBT interpersonal effectiveness skill for maintaining self-respect during a request, disagreement or boundary conversation.

  • Fair: Be fair to yourself and to the other person. Consider facts, needs, responsibilities and power differences.
  • Apologies: Do not apologise merely for existing, having a preference, making a reasonable request or disagreeing. Apologise when you have caused harm or failed to meet a responsibility.
  • Stick to values: Identify the values relevant to this situation and avoid abandoning them only to gain approval. Values should still be examined when new information appears.
  • Truthful: Describe the situation honestly without exaggerating, inventing excuses or presenting uncertainty as fact.

Example

“I agreed to complete one report, not three. I cannot take on the additional work by Friday. I should have raised the capacity issue earlier, and I am sorry for that delay. I can complete the highest-priority report or discuss a revised deadline.”

Common misunderstandings

  • FAST does not mean never apologising.
  • Self-respect does not require refusing compromise.
  • Personal values are not automatically universal moral facts.
  • Truthfulness should not be used as permission for cruelty or unsafe disclosure.

Return to DBT Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills.

Reference

Linehan, M. M. DBT Skills Training Manual, Revised Edition. Guilford Press, 2025.

Evidence and editorial note

Resource type: Educational overview of a DBT skill or skills module. It supports learning and practice but is not comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy.

Evidence basis: Marsha M. Linehan’s DBT Skills Training Manual, Revised Edition (2025), official Behavioral Tech training information, current NICE guidance and peer-reviewed evidence reviews where treatment claims are discussed.

Review status: Written and evidence-checked by the CounselorAid editorial team. Last evidence review: 3 August 2026. No named independent clinical reviewer is being claimed. Please report factual or safety concerns through the contact page.

Important: This information cannot diagnose a condition, assess personal risk or replace care from an appropriately qualified professional. In an immediate crisis or medical emergency, use local emergency or crisis services.