Free DBT worksheet
Free DBT Chain Analysis Worksheet
Map the sequence before and after a target behavior: vulnerabilities, prompting event, thoughts, feelings, body cues, actions, consequences, repair, and replacement skills.
DBT chain structure
A chain analysis works when links, consequences, and repair steps remain visually distinct.
- 1Vulnerability
Sleep, stress, context
- 2Prompt
What set it off
- 3Links
Thoughts, urges, actions
- 4Behavior
Target behavior
- 5Repair
Skill replacement
What a DBT Chain Analysis Reviews
A chain analysis breaks a target behavior into observable links. Instead of stopping at “what happened,” it maps the conditions that made the behavior more likely, the prompting event, thoughts, feelings, body cues, actions, consequences, and where a different DBT skill could interrupt the chain next time.
Use It With Diary Cards and Skills Review
Chain analysis is often most useful after a diary card reveals a target behavior, high urge, skills miss, or pattern worth reviewing. Entries stay in the browser unless copied or exported. Clinical judgment, risk assessment, and treatment decisions remain with the treating clinician.
Therapist Guide to Chain Analysis
For a step-by-step guide to vulnerabilities, prompting events, chain links, consequences, repairs, and replacement skills, read the DBT chain analysis therapist guide. It also explains how diary cards can identify the highest-priority chain to review.
Documentation Example
Therapist completed DBT chain analysis for target behavior following interpersonal conflict. Client identified poor sleep and skipped meal as vulnerability factors, perceived rejection as prompting event, and shame, racing thoughts, withdrawal urge, and checking behavior as chain links. Therapist and client identified STOP skill, paced breathing, and direct communication script as replacement strategies.
Related DBT and Regulation Tools
DBT Diary Card
Track emotions, urges, targets, and skills across a week.
Window of Tolerance Tool
Map activation zones, cues, and regulation strategies.
CBT Thought Record
Review automatic thoughts, evidence, and balanced alternatives.
Breathing Exercises
Use paced breathing patterns for regulation practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a DBT chain analysis? +
A DBT chain analysis maps vulnerabilities, prompting events, links in the behavior chain, consequences, repairs, and replacement skills.
When should therapists use this worksheet? +
It can support clinician-guided review after target behaviors, missed skills, high-risk moments, or patterns that need replacement strategies.
Does this replace risk assessment? +
No. It is a review worksheet and does not replace safety assessment, crisis planning, diagnosis, emergency care, or clinical judgment.
Can I export the chain analysis? +
Yes. You can copy or export the chain analysis summary for session notes or care planning.
Keep going
See the closest current workflow page
Use the free chain analysis now. CoralEHR does not have a dedicated DBT page yet, so the ACT page is the closest current bridge for skills-based, values-aware documentation.
Run this inside CoralEHR