Hello. This is my first blog! I’m a music therapist. My area of specialty is in teaching and reinforcing Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills through Music Therapy. I teach Music Therapy continuing education classes online with a group of qualified professionals who specialize in music therapy with a variety of populations and areas such as music therapy with seniors, youth, autism, special needs, mental health, trauma, starting your own business, and more. My intention is for each of us to share some tips and tidbits from our professional experience areas.
In this first blog I am sharing with you an article I wrote for adolescents, so keep that in mind while you read the examples. Think about a situation in which YOU could use this skill. The skill is called DEAR MAN. It is a powerful communication tool created by Dr. Marsha Linehan and is valuable for anyone who has any interpersonal relationships, which is everyone. So it can be useful with co-workers, clients, family members, and more. Hope you enjoy…but first:
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a system of therapy developed by Dr. Marsha M. Linehan, a psychology researcher at the University of Washington. Although it was originally designed to treat people with borderline personality disorder, DBT is now being used as an empirically validated treatment for individuals with many different diagnoses. The DBT skills for mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness are useful to everyone.
Music therapy lends itself to teach and reinforce DBT skills in its unique way and is valuable to any DBT treatment team and milieu. For more information about this visit www.dbtmusic.com and for more tips, music therapy ideas, and info about continuing education classes, personal growth workshops, and events sign up for our newsletter.
DEAR MAN
How to Ask for What You Want
If you use this formula when you ask for something, you are more likely to get what you are asking for, keep or even improve your relationship with the person you’re asking, and keep your self-respect. The formula is called DEAR MAN. It’s an acronym so each letter stands for something else. Start out with DEAR.
Describe The Situation
Start out by giving the background rather than jumping right into asking. Talk about why you want and deserve what you are asking for. Think through all the facts that you can present to support your case. What questions do you think they will want to ask you before they say yes? Think about this ahead of time and answer the questions before they ask them. Stick to the facts and stay away from judgmental or blame statements.
“I haven’t had my cell phone for a month now. You took it away after the night I came home too late. I’ve been home and in bed by 10:00 every night since then. I’ve got good grades in all my classes now. I’m being responsible and am even applying for part-time jobs.”
Express Your Feelings and Opinions
Explain how you feel and what you believe about the situation.
“I feel I have earned the privilege to have my phone back”
Assertively Ask or Say No
Ask directly for what you want.
“Will you give me back my phone now?”
Reinforce the Person You are Asking
Tell the person what’s in it for them to give it to you.
“If I had a phone I could call you and keep you posted about where I am and what I’m up to. You could reach me at all times. I’m applying for part-time jobs so that I can help you pay for the phone bill.”
After asking this much, stop and listen to their response. If they say yes, you’re done! If no, or if they get off subject, or start blaming you for something… use the next part: MAN
Mindful
Stay focused on your goal. Keep asking and expressing your opinion over and over. If they threaten or blame you or try to pull you onto another subject ignore that and come back to your question.
They say “You were out late and irresponsible”
You say “that’s right and now I’m being responsible so can I have my phone?”
Appear Confident
Make eye contact, stand up straight, use a confident voice.
Negotiate
Negotiate for other options. Give to get.
“If I can’t have it tonight can I have it tomorrow?”
“ Can I use it for an hour and build up to all day…? “
If they keep saying no ask them “if you were in my shoes, what would you do?” In other words “What would it take for you to say yes?” They will tell you.
After trying all of these things, if the answer is still no, then accept the no.
ADD ONs:
To keep the relationship if the person is important to you, (and you should really think about this because sometimes even though you don’t like someone or think that they are not important in your life, like your principal, the police, the judge, your boss, your parents, the relationship with the person is important because they have a lot of say about your life) follow the next step, which is called GIVE:
Gentle
Be courteous rather than attacking or judgmental. Stay away from manipulative statements such as “I’ll kill myself if you don’t, or I’ll do x to you if you don’t”
Interested
Act interested in the other person’s point of view. Look at them in the eye. Don’t interrupt or talk over them. Listen to what they are saying. You don’t have to agree or disagree, just hear them; it really helps you get what you are asking for!
Validate
This goes along with acting interested. Let the other person know that you heard them. This is one of the most valuable relationship skills there is. Tell your mother “I hear you saying that you don’t trust me to actually pay for the phone “ or whatever she says to you. Then after that is when you can say your response. When the person feels like you are hearing them they are more likely to give you what you are asking for.
Easy Manner
If your self-respect is on the line add FAST.
Fair
Be fair to yourself and the other person.
No Apologies
If an apology is warranted use one, otherwise don’t. Don’t apologize for saying no or for asking. Let’s say you lent some money to a friend and are asking for it back. Don’t say “You owe me money, I’m sorry for asking for it.” No. You deserve it. That was the agreement. You have the right to ask for it and receive it back.
Stick to your Values
Do what you know is right. If someone asks you to do something that feels wrong to you say no. If your friend asks you to steal and that is against your values, say no. If you are a vegetarian and are offered a meat meal, say no. It’s your right.
Be Truthful
DEAR MAN is a Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skill, created by Marsha Linehan. (Skills Training Manual…Guilford Press 1993)
Music Therapy Making a Difference! 
Great start for your blog!!! This is a great tool for anyone, Deborah. I’ve heard you use this tool in a workshop, and took notes, but having your actual notes is more helpful. Thanks for publishing it. I’m thinking I might be able to use it on occasion in my hypnotherapy practice.