Commitment Strategies — Dialectical Behavior Therapy

A set of tactics for strengthening the client's commitment to therapy and to change. Commitment is not a one-off signature, but a recurring process in which the therapist actively takes part. It includes: starting small (foot-in-the-door), the contrast effect (door-in-the-face), devil's advocate, freedom of choice, a pros-and-cons table, sincere support, and acknowledgment of the client's responsibility.

Step-by-step guide

Foot-in-the-door: start with a small commitment — "Let us try 4 weeks?"
Devil's advocate: argue against change, so the client argues for it
Pros and cons: jointly draw a table of the pros and cons of change
Free choice: "It is your choice. I will not force you" — the paradox of freedom strengthens the choice
Cheerleading: sincere support — "I believe you can"
Acknowledging responsibility: the client acknowledges that this is their choice and their life

When to use

In the pre-treatment phase (orientation and initial commitment)
At the start of every new stage or after a break
When motivation drops
In therapy-interfering behavior

Key phrases

Let us talk about why you are here. What do you want? What might get in the way? Maybe we start with one month and then look again? I believe you can do this. But it is your choice

Follow-up questions

And why do you want to change? Maybe it is easier not to change? [devil's advocate]

What will you lose if you change? What will you gain?

I am curious: if I told you "don't change" — what would you feel?

Alternative phrasings

What would have to happen for you to know that therapy was worth the effort?

If you look back a year from now — what do you want to see?

Warnings

⚠️ Devil's advocate requires a strong alliance — without it, it sounds like mockery
⚠️ Cheerleading must be sincere — fake support breaks trust
⚠️ Renew commitment regularly, not only at the start

Source: Linehan, M. M. (1993, 2015). Based on social psychology (Cialdini, Festinger)