What Is the Main Difference Between CBT and DBT?

The primary goal of CBT is to change your negative thoughts and behaviors. In contrast, DBT focuses on helping people change their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors by accepting them. As part of DBT, interpersonal skills are also incorporated – not just personal skills. Thousands of people have found greater fulfillment and improved their lives through these two types of therapy. The skills and tools you learn will stay with you for the rest of your life, even if they take time and conscious effort.

DBT draws on Eastern spiritual traditions to teach mindfulness skills. As a result of these skills, members can pay attention calmly to what is going on in the present. At the moment, it allows people to slow down and focus on what is needed to take care of themselves. In this program, members learn that it is better to act wisely than to succumb to intense emotions and act destructively.

A person’s ability to cope with stress helps them cope with difficult times when emotions are high. When people feel upset, it teaches them to soothe themselves instead of hiding from or becoming overwhelmed by emotions. Instead of falling victim to intense, desperate, and often destructive emotional reactions, individuals can make informed decisions about whether and how to take action.

To get one’s wants or needs met healthily, interpersonal effectiveness skills are important for understanding what needs are in a relationship and developing effective approaches to dealing with others.

People can better understand their emotions by using the DBT emotion regulation skills. People learn how to ride out strong emotions without acting on them by decreasing the intensity of their feelings.

There is an assessment of the patient’s current thinking patterns and problematic behaviors. Life experiences, childhood experiences, and even therapy sessions must be considered.

For therapy to be effective, the therapist and patient need to develop a strong relationship of trust. Providing care, warmth, empathy, and competence should be the therapist’s strengths.

The sessions encourage teamwork and decisions about what to work on and how often are made together. Patients need to be actively involved in their treatment to make a lasting impact.

During the initial sessions, the patient should set specific goals. When thoughts interfere with our goals, we need to evaluate them and respond accordingly. As a result, the patient can identify and interrupt those thoughts more easily.

By emphasizing the present, the therapy should focus on their current problems and specific distressing situations.

A timeframe should be worked within when administering CBT. It typically takes 6 to 14 sessions to treat straightforward anxiety and depression. The time frame can range from a few months to years, depending on the severity of the mental illness and rigid beliefs.

In terms of how they approach relationships and validation, CBT and DBT differ. In DBT, you learn that the feelings and thoughts you experience are real. As a result, you are also encouraged to accept yourself regardless of the difficulties and challenges you face every day.

Both CBT and DBT have their benefits and can be used together or separately to treat a variety of mental disorders. It’s good to know that you don’t have to pick between CBT and DBT, as they can be used together. It will be determined by a therapist what type of therapy, or both, is best for you after your first assessment session.

CBT and DBT are both available at Gold Counseling. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We serve patients from Riverdale UT, Washington Terrace UT, Clinton UT, Kaysville UT, Clearfield UT, Farmington UT, Draper UT, Riverton UT, Sandy UT, St. George, UT, Bloomington UT, Santa Clara, UT, and surrounding areas.