When It Is Used
Use it when an emotion and its intensity need to be examined against observable facts before deciding whether validation, problem solving, opposite action, or another response fits.
Check the Facts
Check the Facts is a DBT emotion-regulation appraisal worksheet for practitioners and clients reviewing one intense emotional reaction. It helps separate observable facts from interpretations, consider alternative explanations, and make the emotion and intensity fit review clinically clear.
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Tool guide
Learn more about this tool
Use this background section to understand when the tool fits, how practitioners use it, and what to consider before sharing it with clients.
What It Does Not Do
The worksheet does not make truth judgments, generate alternatives, apply diagnostic labels, or automatically select the next clinical strategy.
Does Check the Facts decide whether an emotion is justified?
No. The tool organizes the appraisal; the practitioner interprets whether the emotion and intensity fit the facts.
Can it handle more than one emotion?
Multiple emotions should be handled as separate worksheets or clearly separated entries so the fit review does not become confused.
What happens if the client cannot name an alternative interpretation?
The alternatives section remains incomplete or marked none entered; the system does not invent alternatives.
Is there anything to configure before saving?
No substantive settings are required, but saving still adds the fixed Check the Facts tool to the practitioner's account.