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ACCEPTS Skill in DBT

ACCEPTS is a DBT crisis-survival skill for creating temporary distance from overwhelming urges when immediate problem-solving is not possible.

The acronym stands for Activities, Contributing, Comparisons, Emotions, Pushing away, Thoughts and Sensations. The goal is not denial or permanent avoidance. It is to reduce the chance of making a crisis worse while time, safety or support is arranged.

  • Activities: Choose a safe task that holds attention.
  • Contributing: Offer proportionate help without neglecting your own needs.
  • Comparisons: Compare the present with times you coped before or notice what has changed; avoid comparisons that shame yourself or others.
  • Emotions: Use music, stories or media that evoke a different, tolerable emotion.
  • Pushing away: Set the issue aside for a limited period and decide when to return to it.
  • Thoughts: Use neutral mental tasks such as counting, puzzles or naming objects.
  • Sensations: Use safe, non-injurious sensory input suited to your health and sensory needs.

Safety

Avoid extreme temperatures, pain, breath-holding, overwhelming noise or any sensation that could cause injury, trigger trauma or worsen a medical condition. Do not use ACCEPTS to postpone emergency care, safeguarding action or a problem that can now be addressed safely.

Use the ACCEPTS worksheet guide or return to Distress Tolerance 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.