CBT vs DBT: What’s the Difference?
When someone knows their mental health is suffering, and they make the brave decision to enter therapy, they can become confused by the choices available. Common therapies used in licensed treatment programs include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). In this article, we explore the difference between CBT and DBT and which mental health disorders they can treat. The Meadowglade offers these therapies as part of their outpatient and residential treatment programs to help people gain control of their symptoms and feel more capable of handling life’s challenges.
Contact The Meadowglade today for more information about how to begin treatment for mental illnesses today or all us now at 888-272-2062 or verify your insurance now.
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy was developed by Aaron Beck in the 1960s to help people struggling with mental health disorders and substance use disorders. CBT is a talk therapy that teaches people to take a hard look at how their thoughts and feelings impact their behaviors, which allows them to modify how they think and feel to help them behave in more positive ways.
For example, someone who struggles with depression can learn the power they have to view their lives and the challenges it comes with differently. When they have better control of their emotions and thoughts, they are less likely to act in ways that support their depressive side. Someone addicted to drugs or alcohol who participates in CBT can use it to help them seize control of their emotions and thoughts, redirect them, and make healthier choices, such as avoiding relapse.
What is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy?
DBT is a form of CBT that is also a talk therapy. DBT focuses on four tenets to help people modify how they feel, act, and think. This helps them handle challenging events and enjoy better personal relationships because they become more accustomed to things like tolerating anxiety-inducing situations and having healthier relationships.
The four tenets of DBT include:
Mindfulness: People learn to identify their feelings and thoughts while not passing judgment on them. They accept themselves as they are while working toward making changes that increase their quality of life.
Distress Tolerance: People feeling stressed out often make poor choices in terms of how they react and feel. Learning to tolerate distress helps them experience less anxiety and know how to manage it when it occurs.
Emotion Regulation: When someone feels overwhelmed by their emotions, they may make poor choices that hamper their ability to progress in treatment. Emotion regulation helps people quickly assess and regulate how they feel so they don’t feel overwhelmed.
Interpersonal Effectiveness: This helps people learn to communicate in healthy and effective ways with family, friends, and romantic partners.
The Key Difference Between CBT and DBT
The difference between CBT and DBT has a lot to do with which disorder the person has, because sometimes one type of therapy provides greater relief than the other one. CBT often provides great results for people who have depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, and OCD. CBT helps people work on seeing what’s going on in their lives realistically and making changes where necessary.
DBT was initially developed to help people with borderline personality disorder, but it was found to do well when it comes to treating other mental illnesses, too. DBT can be effective for people who need help altering their behaviors and have intense emotional reactions that can result in making unhealthy choices. It can help people who self-harm or have suicidal thoughts.
Is CBT or DBT Right For Me?
Exploring the difference between CBT and DBT may leave a person wondering which approach is right for their circumstances. When they enroll in a treatment program, an initial assessment will be done to determine which types of therapy will help the person meet their treatment goals.
What Mental Health Disorders Do CBT and DBT Help?
CBT and DBT can help treat several different types of mental illnesses, including.
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Bipolar Disorder
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Personality Disorders
- Thought Disorders
- PTSD
- Complex Trauma
- Self-Harm
- Stress-Induced Disorders
- Suicidal Ideation
- Grief Disorder
- Social Isolation
- Eating Disorders
- Substance Use Disorders
Are CBT and DBT Compatible With Other Types of Therapy?
One thing that makes CBT and DBT such effective choices in terms of therapy modalities is that they both go well with other types of therapies. Many people combine them with some of the following types of therapy:
- Individual Therapy
- Group Therapy
- EMDR
- Psychological Diagnosis
- Equine Therapy
- Family Therapy
- Holistic Therapy
- Stress Reduction Therapy
- Psychiatry + Medication Management
- Education & Career Counseling
Getting a Diagnosis for a Mental Health Disorder
While it can be tempting to self-diagnose, anyone who suspects they may have a mental health disorder should make an appointment with a mental health professional. A therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist can provide a thorough assessment and pinpoint a specific diagnosis. From there, a recommendation for the most appropriate treatment can be made.
Begin Treatment for Mental Health Disorders at The Meadowglade
Now that you know the difference between CBT and DBT, you may have questions about what help they can provide you when you attend our outpatient or residential programs. The Meadowglade offers complex and game-changing treatment for people who suffer from poor mental health. Our licensed staff provides private and compassionate care for a variety of mental illnesses to help people ease their symptoms and feel more like their old selves.
Contact us today, and let’s talk about how our program can give you the helping hand you need to revitalize how you think, feel, and live. We can also provide a free insurance verification.