DEAR MAN DBT is a robust communication method that’s based mostly on dialectical habits remedy. Let’s focus on what it entails and why it really works.
Have you ever ever struggled to get your level throughout in a means that was tactful, concise, but agency? Some conversations will be tougher than others. That is the place DEAR MAN DBT may also help.
What’s DEAR MAN DBT?
How precisely do you employ it throughout conversations? On this publish, we’ll discover the solutions to these questions.
What’s DEAR MAN DBT?
Contents
DEAR MAN is an acronym that describes a method that you should use to speak your wants and expectations in a wholesome, direct means.
DEAR MAN stands for:
- Describe
- Express
- Assert
- Reinforce
- Mindfulness
- Appear (assured)
- Negotiate
DBT Refers to Dialectical Behaviour Remedy. It’s a type of remedy that was developed within the late Seventies by Marsha Linehan.
DBT was fashioned as a part of Linehan’s try to use normal Cognitive Conduct Remedy (CBT) to chronically suicidal purchasers.
DBT is predicated on CBT, however locations a better give attention to emotional and social facets, reminiscent of acceptance and validation.
CBT focuses on how your ideas, emotions and habits affect one another.
Whereas DBT does work on these items, emphasis is given extra in the direction of regulating feelings, being aware, and studying to simply accept ache.
The 4 principal DBT abilities are:
- Mindfulness
- Misery Tolerance
- Emotional Regulation
- Interpersonal Effectiveness
Every letter in DEAR MAN represents an interpersonal effectiveness ability in dialectical behavioral remedy.
The aim of interpersonal effectiveness abilities is that can assist you get what you want out of your relationships whereas being respectful of your self and others.
Let’s dive deeper into what every letter means and the way to apply it.
Describe
Step one in DEAR MAN DBT is Describe.
Describe refers to obviously and concisely conveying the details of the state of affairs, with none judgment or implication of motives.
Once you describe the state of affairs to the opposite celebration, you wish to keep on with the details.
E.g. “You’ve got been repeatedly speaking together with your ex each week for the final 3 months.”
Categorical
The E in DEAR MAN DBT stands for Categorical.
That is while you talk how the state of affairs makes you’re feeling, utilizing “I” statements.
The important thing right here is to precise your feelings with out getting upset.
Utilizing “I” statements allow you to categorical your considerations and emotions with out blaming the listener, which might trigger them to close down or go into protection mode.
E.g. “I really feel harm while you flip to her as an alternative of me, I really feel like I’m not sufficient.”
Assert
The subsequent step in DEAR MAN DBT is to assert by straight asking for what you need, or saying “no” clearly.
Asserting your self might really feel uncomfortable, however do not forget that the opposite individual can not learn your thoughts.
Try to be particular and clear when giving directions or making requests, so there isn’t any room for misinterpretation.
E.g. “For me to really feel assured on this relationship shifting ahead, you might want to cease texting your ex.”
Reinforce
The R in DEAR MAN DBT stands for Reinforce.
That is the place you level out the advantages of granting your request. What does the opposite individual get out of it?
You are primarily rewarding the individual forward of time for compliance, and explaining constructive results of getting what you need or want.
This may be performed verbally, or by means of form gestures, reminiscent of smiling. It might probably even be so simple as saying “Thanks!”.
E.g. “I recognize all of the efforts you make in our relationship, and I do know that this may draw us collectively and profit us within the long-term.”

Mindfulness
The subsequent letter in DEAR MAN DBT is M, which stands for Mindfulness.
Being aware of your objective means not getting side-tracked or distracted by different points.
If the individual you are speaking to is appearing defensive, attempt to maintain the dialog on target.
Mindfulness may embrace making an attempt to not get distracted by issues occurring round you, reminiscent of noise. Attempt to have the dialog in a quiet, calm surroundings.
You must also take note of your personal and the opposite individual’s posture, tone of voice, facial features and
degree of discomfort.
Try to undertake a keen posture and a relaxed, respectful tone of voice.
E.g. “I would really like us to come back to an settlement concerning your communication together with your ex, earlier than we focus on your interactions along with her dad and mom.”
Seem (assured)
The A in DEAR Man DBT stands for seem – extra particularly seem assured.
No matter how you’re feeling on the within, attempt to preserve a assured manner.
Use a assured tone of voice, get up straight, maintain your head up, and make good eye contact.
Even when the opposite individual says one thing that offends you or takes you off guard, attempt to preserve your composure.
Why is that this necessary?
Once you seem assured, the opposite individual will take you critically and sense that there’s an air of finality to your choice.
They will even be extra inclined to view your request as legitimate and affordable, because you’re assured in it your self.
Negotiate
Lastly, the final step in DEAR MAN DBT is negotiate.
It’s best to know the bounds of what you’re keen to simply accept, however be keen to compromise inside them.
Focus in your objective however be sensible about what is going to work.
Finally, interpersonal effectiveness will not be about dictating to different individuals what they need to do.
The best consequence is the place each events really feel like they’ve received.
Have a dialog about the way you may be capable of resolve the issue collectively. You possibly can even flip the tables and ask the opposite individual for his or her concepts on options to the issue.
E.g. “After all, I need us to be affordable right here. I am not saying that you just minimize off contact fully, simply that you do not talk except it is an emergency, or one thing completely obligatory that we have mentioned beforehand. Is there something you’re feeling I can do to assist?”
DEAR MAN DBT Instance (Summarized)
Placing every little thing collectively, here is an instance of what DEAR MAN DBT appears to be like like in observe:
Describe: “You’ve got been speaking together with your ex each week for the final 3 months.”
Express: “I really feel harm while you flip to her as an alternative of me, I really feel like I’m not sufficient.”
Assert: “For me to really feel assured on this relationship shifting ahead, you might want to cease texting your ex.”
Reinforce: “I recognize all of the efforts you make in our relationship, and I do know that this may draw us collectively and profit us within the long-term.”
Mindfulness: “I would really like us to come back to an settlement concerning your communication together with your ex, earlier than we focus on your interactions along with her dad and mom.”
Appear assured: (Use a assured tone of voice, get up straight, maintain your head up, and make good eye contact).
Negotiate: “After all, I need us to be affordable right here. I am not saying that you just minimize off contact fully, simply that you do not talk except it is an emergency, or one thing completely obligatory that we have mentioned beforehand. Is there something you’re feeling I can do to assist?”
Why DEAR MAN DBT Works

DEAR MAN DBT works as a result of it reminds you of the weather of efficient communication that may be simple to overlook while you’re engaged in a troublesome, tense, dialog.
After all, for it to be handiest, you wish to overview the acronym earlier than heading into the dialog – it is not a lot use in the event you solely consider it after.
The great thing about DEAR MAN DBT is that it’s relevant in a variety of situations, you’ll be able to take the principle concept and customise it based mostly on the precise factors of dialogue.
For those who use the DEAR MAN DBT framework, you’ll focus on subjects that would probably be contentious in a cool, calm and picked up method that exhibits respect for each your self and the listener.
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