Interpersonal Effectiveness

What is Interpersonal Effectiveness?

In DBT, Interpersonal Effectiveness refers to the skills which help us to: Attend to relationships, balance priorities versus demands, balance the “wants” and “shoulds”, build a sense of mastery and self-respect.

The goals of DBT's interpersonal effectiveness skills are to build and maintain positive relationships. DBT breaks these skills into four concrete skills. Mastering these skills can be helpful for anyone.

What gets in the way of our interpersonal effectiveness?

Lack of skill

Not knowing what to say or how to act

Worry thoughts

Worrying about how you will say something or the outcome

Emotions

You know the skills, but your emotions make it difficult for you to implement the skills

Can't decide

You have the skills, but you can't decide what you really want

Environment

You have the skills, but the enviornment gets in the way

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