Bring Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills to life through music, songs, and practical activities.
Get Tools That Fit Your Role:
Resources for clinicians, group leaders, and people learning DBT.
Choose the path that's right for you:
(No musical experience required)
Not ready to choose yet? Start with a FREE DBT song- Pros & Cons
See the Tools in Action ↓
Listen to songs designed to help reinforce, remember, and apply DBT skills.
Use these tools in sessions, groups, or your own DBT skills practice.
Mindfulness: Here and Now
Kelly sings this gentle, sensory-based song to guide listeners through mindful breathing and observation, helping ground attention in the present moment.
Mindfulness is at the core of DBT. Each skill lesson begins with a mindfulness practice to help center attention and build present-moment awareness.
Interpersonal Effectiveness: DEAR MAN
In this example, Bailey teaches the DBT skill DEAR MAN through song. DEAR MAN provides a practical formula for asking for what you want, setting limits, or saying no while staying clear and respectful.
The video uses a heated online conversation as one example of when the skill can help.
Mindfulness: What Skills
When emotions take over, it can be easy to react before we've had time to think.
In this example Deborah uses a song “The Roller Coaster” to reinforce the three states of mind and the mindfulness skills of Observe, Describe, and Participate, with the reminder that "it's not too late to be wise."
Emotion Regulation: Check the Facts
Stephen’s new lyrics to this familiar song help listeners practice the DBT skill of Check the Facts, a powerful way to challenge assumptions and avoid reacting to inaccurate interpretations.
By repeating the question, “Do your emotions fit the facts?” the song helps reinforce the skill and make it easier to remember in everyday situations.
Want Access to More Tools Like These?
Get music-based activities, songs, demonstrations, and practical resources
designed to help make DBT skills more engaging and memorable.
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"These songs and lessons are so helpful! It's helped me remember the skills when I needed them most." JC
Prefer a Book?
Creative DBT Activities Using Music : Interventions for Enhancing Engagement and Effectiveness in Therapy (Jessica Kingsley 2020)
For adolescents/adults
This book presents you with a variety of ways to utilize DBT skills with music. It offers tangible assignments that the client can take home and do on their own, or the therapist can use in sessions. No musical background is required to successfully use the activities.
"As a psychologist and life-long musician I've always wanted to better synthesize these two passions to help my patients. Spiegel, Makary, and Bonavitacola, show me (and now you) many effective and practical ways to creatively weave music into DBT! You do not need to be a musician or a psychologist to find these therapeutic activities immediately applicable to your patients, students, and colleagues who are practicing DBT.
Alec L. Miller, PsyD
For younger children or clients who benefit from DBT concepts presented in more accessible steps
Musical DBT-informed activities that equip educators, therapists, and parents with tools to reach the social and emotional needs of children through fresh and creative activities.
"A great resource for any skills teaching program introducing DBT to younger children. The musical activities have been imaginatively linked to DBT skills helping to make the concepts accessible to younger minds. Each chapter includes a session plan, suggested adaptations and links to supporting resources for flexible use."
Stephanie Hastings PhD, Co-Deputy Director PG Dip DBT, Bangor University
Want to Hear DBT Music for Younger Children?
This song, by Chelsea Steen MT-BC, is for practicing observing through finding each of the colors of the rainbow. It's an example of songs found in the above book.
FREE DBT Mindfulness Flashcards
Practice DBT Skills One Card at a Time
Use these free printable flashcards to review and reinforce key DBT skills.
Grab Your FREE DBT Mindfulness Flashcards!
Need a DBT-Informed Music Therapist?
Board-certified music therapists with specialized training in DBT are available for individual sessions, group facilitation, and team consultation.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based therapy model and set of personal growth skills to help people manage emotions, respond rather than react, and build balanced, fulfilling lives.
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