Dialectical behavior therapy / DBT-A19-1
Behavior Chain with a Missing Link — Concept brief
Understand the idea behind behavior chain with a missing link and consider whether it fits your context.
8 minutes · Handout · Adults; supported use as appropriate
Fictional example: Taylor delays a task after confusing instructions and then feels more overwhelmed.
Use an ordinary or fictional example, with a clinician when appropriate. A chain analysis explores sequence and context rather than assigning blame.
The idea
A chain analysis explores sequence and context rather than assigning blame.
An ordinary example
Taylor delays a task after confusing instructions and then feels more overwhelmed.
What this can look like
With a clinician, map a low-intensity event from vulnerabilities through thoughts, feelings, actions, and consequences; mark unknown links.
Check the fit
Where is a change or support point in the sequence? You may disagree with the framing, use fiction, or decide that this approach is not useful today.
A useful distinction
Acceptance acknowledges the present; it does not endorse harm or remove the need for change.
Prompts for this resource
- What part of this idea makes sense to me?
- Where is a change or support point in the sequence?
Conceptual background
Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training: Fundamentals — Behavioral Tech Institute
Background on the approach only. Original exercises and wording are by More Than Therapy with AI assistance; the source does not validate or endorse these materials.