CBT Vs. DBT: Therapies Defined
DBT is a form of therapy used to treat individuals suffering from severe or multiple disorders. These clients are typically high risk and difficult to treat. They may suffer from multiple disorders simultaneously, including:- Borderline personality disorder
- Substance use disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- Anxiety
How Does CBT Work?
Cognitive-behavioral therapy puts a client in a room with a therapist in a one-on-one situation. The two develop a trust and rapport, and they work together to identify negative patterns of thinking and divert them into more positive thoughts. Clients who benefit from CBT often suffer from cognitive distortions. In other words, their thinking tends to be in stark black and white with no shades of gray. An incident that would be annoying to someone else may be devastating to someone who suffers cognitive distortions. Examples include:- If someone ignores me, it must be because I’m worthless
- A bad day means things will never get better
- Because something bad happened, life isn’t even worth living
How Does DBT Work?
Dialectical behavioral therapy is often called change and acceptance therapy. It works by helping clients accept and identify dangerous thinking and behavior and replace them with healthier alternatives. For instance, someone who receives DBT may be homeless, suicidal, and suffering from substance use disorder all at once. DBT treats the most serious or life-threatening conditions first, then focuses on changing the rest. DBT has four parts:- One-on-one counseling
- Group skills training
- Crisis intervention
- Consultation groups for providers
