
{"id":41387,"date":"2021-01-14T08:05:47","date_gmt":"2021-01-14T16:05:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/?p=41387"},"modified":"2024-01-18T17:39:41","modified_gmt":"2024-01-18T22:39:41","slug":"comparing-and-contrasting-cbt-and-dbt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/Compare_Contrast_CBT_DBT","title":{"rendered":"Comparing and Contrasting CBT and DBT"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-41388 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/DBT-vs-CBT-800x450.jpg\" alt=\"Comparing and Contrasting CBT and DBT\" width=\"402\" height=\"226\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/DBT-vs-CBT-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/DBT-vs-CBT-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/DBT-vs-CBT-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/DBT-vs-CBT-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 402px) 100vw, 402px\" \/><\/p>\n<h1><strong><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Finding the Differences Between Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) each play an important role in treating mental health issues. These two types of therapy fall under the umbrella of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/how-psychotherapy-retrains-brain-to-expect-feel-better-0605175\">psychotherapy<\/a>, also known as talk therapy. Throughout the therapeutic process, an individual facing challenges talks with a professional in a safe, confidential, growth-stimulating environment where they learn new skills on how to manage those challenges.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">CBT and DBT are among the most common methods of psychotherapy used to treat <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mhanational.org\/mental-health-treatments\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">mental health issues<\/a>. While they share many similarities, they also have important differences.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, also known as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/is-cbt-the-gold-standard-examining-the-evidence-0725185\">CBT<\/a>, primarily focuses on the relationship between thoughts and feelings. This line of thinking focuses on how thoughts impact feelings and how certain patterns of behavior can lead to mental health challenges. CBT also focuses on replacing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors with new actions and ways of thinking. Therapists often use CBT to treat mental health issues like depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and more.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Therapists use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and work with clients to identify issues and challenges, uncover the causes, and establish new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/coping-mechanisms\/\">coping mechanisms<\/a>, tools, and strategies to help get past or overcome them.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/emotional-overwhelm-how-dbt-crisis-survival-skills-help-0721165\">Dialectical Behavior Therapy<\/a>, also known as DBT, is a modified alternative to CBT. It was initially created to treat BPD (borderline personality disorder). Therapists often use DBT with clients who are experiencing suicidal thoughts or actions, but they have discovered new ways to treat other mental health issues through Dialectical Behavior Therapy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/distress-tolerance-dbt-when-you-reach-your-tipping-point-try-tip-0424175\">DBT<\/a> stresses the practice of mindfulness, increasing distress tolerance, strengthening emotional regulation skills, and growing relationships. Clients work with their therapist to uncover harmful thought patterns, accept them, and learn how to react to them healthily. Balance is critical in this form of therapy as clients work to accept their challenges and work toward change.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Differences Between CBT and DBT<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Emphasis<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The main difference between Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy is a matter of emphasis: CBT focuses on thought patterns and their redirection; DBT focuses on balance and the relationship between <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/how-to-outsmart-anxious-thoughts-reduce-your-suffering-1102175\">acceptance and change<\/a>. Both Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy aim to ultimately help the client change their thought patterns.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Time<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/is-cognitive-behavioral-therapy-effective-1125141\">Cognitive Behavioral Therapy<\/a> is usually completed after a short interval. These sessions focus on specific problems. With a set goal in mind, clients have something they\u2019re working toward, and CBT is finished once they get there. DBT usually involves sessions over a more extended period of time where the therapist and client can consider the larger picture.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Setting<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Another <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/talk-therapy-can-change-connectivity-in-the-brain-long-term-0125171\">difference between CBT and DBT<\/a> can be context. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy nearly always takes place in a one-on-one setting. The client and the therapist work together, and then the client will often have \u201chomework\u201d to take home. On the other hand, Dialectical Behavior Therapy can be used in both one-on-one and group settings.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Choosing a Method<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Some therapists call upon multiple methods of therapy, also called modalities or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/models-of-therapy\/\">models of therapy<\/a>, which is often referred to as an eclectic approach; other therapists will choose the model they believe best to help each individual person; still others specialize in just one or two models. <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Both CBT and DBT are useful for treating a wide range of mental health issues. To determine which approach will work best for you, consult with a therapist.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">To connect with a therapist in your area, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\">click here<\/a>.<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Finding the Differences Between Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) each play an important role in treating mental health issues. These two types of therapy fall under the umbrella of psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy. Throughout the therapeutic process, an individual facing [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3168,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[622,569,628,529,623,624],"tags":[1263,197,1755,248,924,1756,1760,1761,1759,1758,1757],"class_list":["post-41387","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-types-of-therapy","category-faq","category-general","category-good-therapy-announcements","category-issues-treated","category-modes-of-therapy","tag-cbt","tag-cognitive-behavioral-therapy","tag-dbt","tag-dialectical-behavior-therapy","tag-mental-health","tag-mental-health-treatment","tag-therapy-approaches","tag-therapy-methods","tag-therapy-modalities","tag-therapy-models","tag-treating-mental-health-issues"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41387","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3168"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41387"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41387\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41387"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41387"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41387"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}