The Skills System adapts DBT while staying adherent to DBT to make DBT accessible to clients with cognitive challenges.

The Skills System includes all of the Modes of DBT.

The Skills System includes the same principles and functions as DBT.

The Skills System captures all of the DBT Skills of Mindfulness, Emotion Regulation, Distress Tolerance, and Interpersonal Effectiveness, combining a Zen tradition of Acceptance skills with Cognitive-Behavioral Change skills.

The Skills System streamlines the DBT skills into 9 core Skills and 3 System Tools to accommodate issues with memory, executive function (mental organization, planning and decision-making), comprehension, and learning.

Skills System therapists stay adherent to DBT principles while adjusting skills delivery by being aware of cognitive load in each moment.

• ​The Skills System is flexible such that therapists modify the skills based on the cognitive needs of the individual client.

• Skills presentation can be more detailed for client who need a higher challenge.

• Skills can be broken down for clients who become overwhelmed. 

• The complexity of language of the therapist can be adjusted.

• Demands for reading or writing can be altered.

The Skills System adds Coaching Training to help the coach, the living setting, and the client co-regulate in the nature environment.

The Skills System's repetition of the skills 4 times over a year enhances learning.