DBT Behavioral Therapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy vs DBT

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy vs DBT: Therapy is a huge part of any mental health or substance use disorder treatment.

Without using such things as DBT skills and CBT therapy, even an experienced therapist would have difficulty treating depression and other self-destructive behaviors.

Individual therapy and group sessions are integral to substance abuse effective treatment. Similarly, CBT and DBT therapy help treat many other mental health issues. That is why here at St. John’s Recovery Place (SJRP), quality therapeutic services are one of our biggest focuses.

Addiction Brings Many Mental Health Challenges But CBT and DBT Therapies Can Help Combat Negative and False Beliefs in Effective Treatment

Currently, at St. John’s, we specialize in holistically treating every aspect of the human mind, body, and spirit. We believe that substance abuse disorders are mental illnesses. And that as a chronic mental health condition, harmful behaviors and thought patterns for misusing drugs and alcohol need proper treatment techniques to beat.

At SJRP, we target everything from nutrition support to engaging our clients in integrated talk therapies.

In a group setting or individual session, SJRP’s treatment methods and practice skills aim for building long-term sobriety. Currently, to meet our treatment goals, St. John’s uses CBT and DBT treatment options alongside other weekly therapy sessions.

DBT and CBT Aim to Help People Cultivate Healthier Behaviors

According to medical professionals, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a form of talk therapy. Initially, mental health professionals created DBT techniques to help treat mental health issues like borderline personality disorder and chronic suicidal ideation. But today, a DBT therapist can use dialectical behavioral therapy skills to treat a wide range of mental health issues.

Now, DBT skills treatment methods combat post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, generalized anxiety disorder, depression, substance abuse issues, and more.

DBT therapy is excellent at combating extreme behaviors and negative or false beliefs.

Even so, there are other forms of therapeutic relationships an individual can learn new skills from. For instance, CBT teaches clients how their negative thoughts influence their behavior patterns. And through learning mindfulness skills, CBT sessions focus on helping clients learn how to control their thought patterns and emotional response to outside stimuli.

The Definition of Dialectical Behavior Therapy and CBT Treatment According to a Mental Health Professional (DBT vs. CBT)

Both CBT and DBT share very similar values regarding teaching emotion regulation and combating self-harm behaviors. Even so, there are some critical differences between DBT vs. cognitive behavioral therapy.

On the one hand, cognitive behavior therapy is a psycho-talk therapy that focuses on how behaviors influence thought patterns, according to mental health professionals. Today, a CBT therapist treats emotional response in an individual by having them pay close attention in individual and group therapy to how emotions and behaviors intertwine.

DBT and CBT by Definition are Closely Related

Meanwhile, DBT vs. CBT, on the other hand, teaches clients the importance of embracing their feelings rather than focusing solely on regulating intense emotions.

At the end of the day, CBT and DBT are closely related.

A form of commitment therapy originally derived from CBT practices, DBT, and cognitive behavioral therapy aims to treat mental illness and substance abuse in vulnerable individuals. Thus, helping them rebuild their interpersonal relationships, learn new skills, and become happy, healthy members of society again.

Yet, even though CBT and DBT have much in common, they have several differences too.

The Basics of Dialectical Behavior Therapy in Therapeutic Treatment

As evidence-based psychotherapy, dialectical behavioral therapy ( DBT) is a valuable treatment tool in several therapeutic settings.

DBT behavioral therapy has several uses, helping to treat clients with various mood disorders. The therapeutic method has been known to treat borderline personality disorder (bipolar disorder), substance use issues, suicidal ideations, and changes in behavioral patterns. It can even help those who struggle with self-harm.

Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) is a treatment method that focuses on teaching clients how to enhance their self-motivation.

DBT Helps Treat Various Personality Disorders

These DBT programs work to teach motivation through individual and group counseling sessions.

In separate meetings, the client and the therapist will initially work to determine the root cause of some of the client’s issues, ultimately working towards accepting these feelings and understanding how to move through life without these issues overshadowing every decision the client makes. From there, clients will also work in group settings to build their coping skills techniques. They will learn where their coping skill, strengths, and weaknesses lie and work on mastering their skill sets better.

DBT Techniques in Treatment

In DBT behavior therapy, there are four main comprehensive components that clients are taught to follow.

A therapist can teach these four main components through phone coaching, in-person therapy sessions, and skill group training meetings. And can also be completed with a consultation team. Today, DBT treatment is typically part of a list of other treatment practices for clients to work through. Nevertheless, the four primary skills taught in DBT behavioral therapy include:

• Distress tolerance
• Emotional regulation
• Mindfulness
• Interpersonal effectiveness

Studies have shown that clients who continued DBT training and learned these skills experienced many benefits from the DBT treatment practices.

Some of the most commonly recognized benefits of DBT behavioral treatment therapy included reductions in self-injurious behaviors. And better anger expression techniques that were less harmful to the client and those around them. These benefits also improved clients’ social adjustment and extended coping skills as well as treatment lesson retention.

Of course, we must point out that DBT is not a one-size-fits-all solution.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy Treats More than Borderline Personality Disorder, But It’s Not for Everyone

The people who have seen the most positive takeaways from DBT treatment have stuck with the practices for a long time. Thus, regularly exercising their new skill set to ensure they are in their most functional and best working order.

Whether from addiction, self-harming practices, or other mood disorders, recovery takes time.

But frequent use of the DBT treatment coping skills will help ensure the safety and success of the client who continuously works hard towards their recovery goals.

The Difference Between Cognitive-Behavior Therapy vs. DBT

So, now that you know the basics of DBT and how it works, it will be helpful for you to learn more about cognitive behavioral therapy.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy, also known as CBT, is another form of psychological therapy. The therapeutic method demonstrates effectiveness in helping treat several disorders, including anxiety disorder. Additionally, CBT is known for helping solve marital problems, easing severe mental illness symptoms, including; eating disorders, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and even drug and alcohol use issues.

CBT Techniques are Common Practices Used in Treating Various Personality Disorders

So, what is the difference between cognitive behavioral therapy vs. DBT? There is not all that much difference between the two.

Dialectical behavior therapy DBT is a subcategory of therapy developed from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Of course, even though DBT is a derivative of CBT, there are still some differences between these two therapeutic methods.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy CBT Vs. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy-Key Differences and Similarities

Some of these differences include:

CBT Focuses, Techniques, and Methods:

-Focuses on treating anxiety disorders

-Helps clients have control of their recovery

-Teaches you how thoughts influence action

-Teaches you to focus on the present

DBT Focuses, Skills, Techniques, and Methods:

-Focuses on treating mood disorders

-Helps clients gain control of their emotions

-Teaches you to accept your intense emotions

-Teaches you to change to positive patterns

Both CBT and DBT are forms of “talk therapy.”

While CBT teaches you how your emotions and thoughts influence each other, DBT teaches you how to accept those emotions. CBT will teach you how to live in the present, is highly structured, and is short-term goal-oriented. Meanwhile, DBT is a long-term therapeutic method that teaches you coping skills to help you better handle the future.

Both CBT and DBT are therapeutic methods that work well to treat various mental health, mood, and substance use disorders.

DBT Skills and CBT Therapy Can Be Used Together or Apart

While CBT works to better help treat anxiety disorders, DBT helps treat mood disorders.

One focuses on treating you in the present. The other focuses on helping both present and future you navigate the world around you as it comes. Both therapeutic methods help you learn new skills and understand yourself to more profound degrees.

Both Cognitive Therapy and DBT Treatment Help Clients Learn About Themselves so They Can Heal

Suppose you or a loved one struggles with addiction or a mental health issue. In that case, cognitive behavioral therapy or DBT could be the perfect addition to your healing regimen.

DBT and CBT are not one-size-fits-all therapies.

But they can help you get further along the path of recovery. Your doctor, addiction counselor, therapist, psychiatrist, or another mental health professional can help you determine which therapeutic method is suitable for you.

Talk Therapy at St. John’s Recovery Place

In the end, recovery is a balance of many things. CBT helps you learn about your behaviors. Meanwhile, DBT enables you to embrace your emotions instead of hiding from them.

And at St. John’s Recovery Place, you can learn to use both CBT and DBT models, alongside several other therapeutic methods, to help you heal. At SJRP, we take holistic healing seriously. As a result, we offer our clients a well-rounded treatment experience to guide them through detox to alumni relations.

St. John’s Recovery Place Works to Help you Rebuild Your Life

If you or a loved one struggles with addiction and looking to build a new life as you heal, SJRP could be just the place for you.

Here members and staff are a part of one big family. And we will do all we can to make sure you have access to all the tools you need to heal as we cheer you on every step of the way. Suppose you would like to learn more about St. John’s, its use of DBT and CBT in therapy, or its holistic healing approach. Feel free to visit us online or call us today at 1-833-397-3422.

Start your recovery journey with us today; you’ll be glad you called.