Emotion regulation skills are an important component of managing substance abuse and maintaining mental well-being. These skills can be used in conjunction with breathing exercises, body scans, and the challenging of negative thought patterns. Here are some examples of emotion regulation skills used with Michael.
Viewing a situation with more realism
When Michael’s friend did not return his call, his immediate thought was that his friend didn’t like him. The emotion regulation skill here is to challenge such impulsive thoughts by exploring alternative explanations. Encouraging Michael to question his assumption and consider other possibilities can help him to gain a more realistic perspective.