Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) are two of the most effective therapies for a wide range of mental health conditions. At Dare To Care Too in Largo, Maryland, The Clinical Team has extensive skill and experience using both CBT and DBT therapies to help clients overcome their mental, emotional, and behavioral challenges and improve their quality of life. To learn more, call Dare To Care Too or request an in-person or telehealth appointment online today.

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What are CBT and DBT therapies?

CBT and DBT are related but take different approaches to improving your mental health:

CBT

CBT includes a group of therapies based on the principle that your thoughts and perceptions directly influence your emotions and behaviors. Unrealistic or distorted thoughts lead to negative emotional and behavioral reactions, even in situations where a negative reaction isn’t appropriate.

CBT teaches you to identify and adjust your problematic thoughts and emotions. Changing them allows you to adjust your reactions and interactions with others.

Different types of CBT include:

  • Trauma-focused therapy
  • CBT for insomnia (CBT-I)
  • Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
  • Exposure and response prevention (ERP)
  • Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT)

Dialectical behavior therapy is also a type of CBT.

DBT

DBT helps you recognize strong feelings and learn to communicate them without anger or other negative emotions. DBT also focuses on helping you learn to build strong, positive relationships.

Your DBT therapist uses different techniques, such as:

Mindfulness

Mindfulness helps you live in the present while spending less time dwelling on past problems or worrying about future challenges.

Distress tolerance

This technique helps you accept and deal with pain and negative emotions instead of ignoring or avoiding them.

Emotional regulation

During DBT, you learn how to manage the intense emotions that cause problems in your life.

Interpersonal effectiveness

Interpersonal effectiveness teaches you how to honestly and assertively communicate your thoughts and feelings.

What mental health conditions improve with CBT and DBT therapies?

CBT and  DBT can both be used to treat the same mental health disorders. Your Dare To Care Too provider may recommend them for:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Insomnia
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Schizophrenia
  • Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

CBT and DBT are proven to effectively treat these mental health conditions.

What should I expect during CBT and DBT therapy?

Both therapies focus on specific goals to improve your current challenges. They also use a practical approach to replace destructive behaviors and emotions with positive changes.

CBT and DBT are also time-limited. (By comparison, some psychotherapies are like open-ended discussions.) However, the number of sessions varies, depending on each person’s unique needs and their progress.

Call Dare To Care Too today or book an appointment online to learn more about CBT and DBT and whether they can help you overcome your challenges.