MORE THAN THERAPYTHE RESOURCE LIBRARY

MODULE 05 / 24 · Mindfulness · 15–25 MINUTES

Nonjudgmental Stance

Describe behavior and consequences without global labels about a person's worth.

Try the worksheet

Understand the skill

A nonjudgmental stance notices judgments without adding another layer of shame. You can recognize danger, unfairness, and consequences while using specific language about behavior.

Practice step by step

  1. Notice a judging word such as 'worthless,' 'lazy,' or 'bad.'
  2. Identify the event, feeling, or unmet need underneath it.
  3. Rewrite the statement in concrete, descriptive language.
  4. Choose a useful response while allowing the feeling to be present.

TRY IT · SOLO OR WITH A GROUP

A practice activity

Language repair: sort fictional statements into observations, feelings, and judgments. Rewrite two judgments while keeping their real concerns intact.

Group option: Work from a fictional example for five minutes, rehearse or compare choices for five minutes, then discuss one useful adaptation. Pass, write, observe, or work alone.

Your practice worksheet

Writing is optional. Responses stay in this open tab and are not submitted or automatically saved. Closing or refreshing clears them. Avoid names or identifying details. Printing or downloading includes your words.

Use paper or discuss the prompts if you prefer.

Recovery connection

Use person-centered language about substance use and return-to-use events. Replace identity labels with behaviors, context, and next supports.

Facilitator notes

Include self-judgment and social stigma. Validate anger about injustice; nonjudgment does not mean accepting mistreatment.

Adaptation and care: Keep safety evaluations and accountability. Removing shame does not remove boundaries or consequences.

Between-session practice: Choose one manageable situation to try this skill. Notice the context, what you did, and what helped or needs adjusting. An attempt counts as practice even when feelings do not change.

Background and sources

DBT skills concepts originate in Marsha M. Linehan's work. These are original More Than Therapy activities, not reproductions of official worksheets or endorsed materials.

References inform the skill framework; they do not validate these particular exercises. Life-structure modules are DBT-informed applications, not additional standard DBT core modules.