Provider ResourcesClinical support & delivery

Templates & Worksheets

DBT Mindfulness Worksheet: Observe, Describe, Participate

Use this expert-created worksheet to incorporate evidence-based mindfulness techniques into your sessions.

Last updated: November 2025

DBT Mindfulness Worksheet: Observe, Describe, Participate

With this resource, you’ll learn how to:

  • Make core DBT skills appealing and accessible to clients

  • Facilitate neutral description of experiences and emotions

  • Support consistent practice and reflection

This DBT Mindfulness Worksheet provides structured exercises around three core skills:

  • Observe: Clients practice present-moment awareness without judgment through morning and evening check-ins, focusing on sensory experiences. This helps them identify internal and external stimuli without immediate reaction.
  • Describe: The worksheet guides clients in neutrally describing strong emotions, moving away from assumptions or presumptions. This fosters a more objective understanding of their emotional experiences.
  • Participate: Clients are encouraged to engage fully in daily activities by applying their observation and description skills. This helps them experience routine tasks with renewed awareness and presence.

It also includes a "Weekly Mindfulness Skills Challenge & Reflection" section, where clients track their practice, note observations, and reflect on changes in emotional reactions, preferred techniques, and impact on their stress levels. This structured approach provides a practical framework for clinicians to help clients cultivate present-moment awareness and build essential coping skills.

Learn More

Build a thriving private practice with Alma

We believe that when clinicians have the support they need, mental health care gets better for everyone.