What Is The Difference Between CBT Vs. DBT
When coping with a mental illness, therapy is usually an obvious treatment route to go down. However, there are plenty of options for therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectal behavior therapy (DBT) are two of the more common types of therapy.
But how am I supposed to know the difference, you may be asking yourself. Do not worry! I am here to help explain the difference, and hopefully, allow you to feel more confident in choosing which type of therapy may be most effective for you.
What is CBT?
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of talk therapy that largely focuses on your thoughts. When you are thinking of a stereotypical therapy session, you are likely imagining a form of CBT. The goal of CBT is to help you to recognize how your thoughts have an impact on your behavior, attitude, and actions.
One of the core principles of CBT is that our thoughts influence ourselves and the world around us. In fact, CBT aims to teach you that your mental health concerns are at least partially due to your own thoughts. However, this is not to place blame on yourself for your depression, anxiety, or other psychological condition. Rather, it focuses to point out the connections in hopes that you can begin to think more helpfully.
What is DBT?
Dialectal behavior therapy (DBT) is another form of talk therapy that largely draws upon CBT principles. DBT, however, is specifically tailored to those who have a lot of emotions and experience them intensely. Additionally, DBT is practiced frequently in groups.
Rather than focusing on your thoughts like CBT does, DBT aims to teach how to live in the moment and enjoy the present. There are four main pillars that DBT tries to address and help you with. These include:
mindfulness
interpersonal effectiveness
emotional regulation
distress tolerance
Benefits of CBT
Throughout practicing CBT, your therapist will aim to help change your negative thoughts about yourself, others, or the world at large, into more self-serving and “positive” ones. Generally, CBT shows quick results in your thoughts and patterns.
Although CBT can be used to treat a wide range of concerns, it is very helpful in the following cases.
Depression
Anxiety
Substance abuse
Phobias
Grief or loss
Stress management
Benefits of DBT
When practicing DBT, the individual will notice a change in their attitude based on their perception of the outside world. Throughout the process, you will also learn self-acceptance.
DBT can be applied to many conditions as well, including:
Bipolar disorder
Attention deficit disorder or hyperactivity disorder
Eating disorders, such as binge eating or anorexia
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Which is right for you?
Now that we understand the difference between CBT and DBT, let’s narrow down which form might be a better fit for you. First, what you should look at is what you are trying to achieve from therapy. Are you looking to change your thought pattern? CBT might be the best choice for you. Do you feel as if you are letting your life pass by? Consider seeking out DBT.
At the end of the day, there is no wrong answer when it comes to choosing a form of therapy to explore. Above all else, remember that therapy is an outlet meant to better yourself, not hinder it. If you are still questioning which option is best for you, a trained professional is more than capable of offering assistance. Once you are ready to take the step toward a more mentally healthy you, please reach out to me to get started with CBT.