How to do a DBT Chain Analysis

DBT therapy is filled with practical skills and tools to improve your mental health. There are skills to manage anger. There are skills to regulate emotions. There are skill for effective communication. There are tons of skills. DBT therapy is one of our main methods of treatment at PRGRS Therapy. To learn more about our approach click the link below.

One of the foundational skills in DBT therapy is the Chain Analysis.

This tool is used to reflect on a problematic behaviors, analyze the details leading up to and following the behavior, and decide where change can be implemented.

In this article I will walk you through how to do the chain analysis

The DBT Chain Analysis

A chain analysis should be written out. It is a visual tool.

Step 1: Describe the problem behavior

The easiest place to start is with the problematic behavior itself. For example, if the problem is that you snapped at your friend and pushed them, then the behavior you can write down is that you pushed your friend.

Step 2: Describe the prompting event

You will then identify the event that led to the problematic behavior. For example, your friend called you a nasty name right before you pushed them. This would be the prompting event.

Step 3: Describe the vulnerability factors

Vulnerability factors are things that make you more susceptible to the problematic behavior. For example, hunger, lack of sleep, being physically sick, are all vulnerability factors.

Step 4: Describe the chain of events leading to the problem behavior

You will work backwards from the problem behavior and outline all the steps leading up to it. You want to be as detailed as possible. For example, prior to pushing your friend you were talking about a hurtful comment they made to you, you were walking to get coffee, you were on a busy NYC street, etc. Try your best to remember as many details as you can.

Step 5: Describe the consequences of the behavior

You will want to write down what happened following the problematic behavior. For example, maybe you and your friend are no longer speaking as a result of the push.

Step 6: Identify skillful behaviors that can replace problematic links in the chain

Next, you will want to identify links in the chain where you could have done something different. For example, if you were tired, instead of saying yes to getting coffee, you could have chosen to rest instead. Or instead of engaging in a heated discussion, you could have walked away, used deep breathing to calm down, and then re-engaged with your friend.

Step 7: Develop a prevention plan

Considering the above chain analysis, you will want to develop a plan to prevent the behavior from happening again. This plan should take into account the vulnerability factors, problem behaviors, etc. For example, you will practice deep breathing and other distress tolerance skills to better prepare for moments when you feel triggered. You will also think through and reduce vulnerability factors before engaging in a heated discussions.

Step 8: Repair consequences of the problem behavior

It will be important to do what you can to repair any issues that occurred as a result of the problem behavior. For example, initiate a time to meet up with your friend to apologize and talk things over.

Next steps

If you are interested in DBT Therapy, contact us today to set up a free 15 minute consultation to learn more.