DEARMAN in Action - A DBT Game, Interpersonal Communication Skills, DBT Skills, Role Play, DBT Cards (Teens / Adults)

DEAR MAN in Action

A printable DBT communication roleplay game for teens. Build your message. Practise the conversation. Replay your next move.

A teen chooses an everyday scenario, names a request or boundary and builds a DEAR opening. Their partner responds using a facilitator-selected reply card. The teen practises staying on track with MAN, revises one part of the conversation and tries it again with the same reply.

Rehearse asking for quiet while studying, declining to lend something or requesting a clearer group-work plan. The focus is on specific words and next steps. Success means practising clear, purposeful communication; it does not depend on getting a yes.

What happens in a session?

1. Choose an objective. Pick a scenario and decide what to ask for, decline or change.
2. Build your DEAR message. Describe the facts, Express a feeling or view, Assert the request or no, and Reinforce with an honest benefit where useful.
3. Hear a reply and use MAN. Stay Mindful of the objective, Appear confident with a delivery choice that suits the participant, and Negotiate where appropriate. A limit can remain a limit.
4. Replay one part. Revise a phrase or action, try it again with the same partner reply and notice what changed.
5. Reflect and plan. Identify what was clear, what was within the participant’s control and one next practice.

Inside your 39-page PDF

• 30 scenario cards for everyday requests, boundaries and changes.
• 18 partner reply cards with facilitator matching tables.
• 12 replay challenges for revising one part of the conversation.
• 7 DEAR MAN reference cards.
• 4 core practice sheets: My DEAR Message, My MAN Plan, Notice the Skill observer checklist and Replay One Part.
• Start-here instructions, rules, DEAR MAN teaching pages and worked roleplay examples.
• Facilitator setup, partner guidance, feedback guidance and play variations.
• After the Conversation debrief and My Next Conversation take-home plan.
• Make Your Own Round custom card templates.

All cards and supports are included within the 39-page total.

Flexible participation

Choose a guided round, full round, written conversation, observer role or coach-the-facilitator variation. Participants can say it, write it, draw it, coach or pass. Fictional situations are enough; personal stories are optional. Replay just one phrase or action when that fits the session.

Who is it for?

Designed for facilitator-led work with teens or adults. The facilitator can be the partner in individual practice or support paired and group rounds. Use with someone who can teach and adapt the framework. This is DBT-informed skills practice, not a complete DBT programme.

Download, print and prepare

• One printable PDF in US Letter size: 8.5 × 11 inches.
• Digital product; no physical item is shipped.
• Print card pages 21–34 single-sided, cut and separate the decks.
• Print practice sheets on pages 16–19 as needed.
• Use facilitator tables on pages 38–39 to select compatible replies before each round.
• Interactive fillable fields are not included.

Your license

Use as an individual for self-help or as a mental health worker with your own clients. This game is designed for facilitator-led practice. One license per user.

Do not share files online or with colleagues; recreate the resource and present it as your own; resell the files; or use the files themselves to make money, including charging specifically to access or use the worksheet/resource.

A Therapy Courses original.