Building Psychological Flexibility with DNA-V

At BrightPath, we use the DNA-V model to help young people develop an important life skill called Psychological Flexibility.
 

Psychological flexibility means being able to adapt to what life brings while continuing to do the things that matter. It involves noticing difficult thoughts and feelings without letting them completely take over, trying different ways of responding when something isn't working and choosing actions that move us towards the person we want to be.
 

DNA-V helps young people practise these skills through four simple areas: the Discoverer, who experiments, explores and learns through experience; the Noticer, who pays attention to thoughts, feelings, their body and the world around them; the Advisor, our inner voice that helps us make sense of things but can sometimes become overly critical or cautious; and Values, which help us identify what matters and guide the direction we want our lives to take.
 

We think of psychological flexibility as a "superskill" because it isn't just useful for one particular problem. It supports young people across many parts of life — coping with challenges, developing friendships, engaging with education, becoming more independent, trying new experiences and pursuing meaningful goals.
 

Ultimately, psychological flexibility is about helping young people build bigger lives. Not lives without difficulties, but lives in which difficulties don't have to determine what is possible. By learning flexible ways of responding to the world inside and outside our skin, young people can take more of the small, meaningful steps that contribute to valued living, wellbeing and a better quality of life.
 

Small steps. Big changes.