15/10/2025
Useful skill to learn for any addiction
DBTSkills : Urge Surfing.
Urge surfing is a mindfulness skill that refers to managing unwanted urges or behaviors like emotional outbursts, aggression, or addictive urges.
Instead of trying to suppress or give in to the urge, individuals are encouraged to practice acceptance or “riding out the waves of urges” on an imaginary surfboard.
The DBT Urge Surfing Technique Handout explains what urge surfing skill guides clients on adopting a non-judgmental stance towards the urge in four steps.
It illustrates a wave, along with different stages of the urge, such as the trigger, rise, peak, and fall.
Using this handout helps to manage unwanted urges and emotions, and reduce impulsive behavior, which leads to better self-control.