Combating Mental Health Disorders: Dialectical Behavior Therapy vs. CBT

When someone mentions psychotherapy, chances are they’re referring to a cornerstone of modern-day psychological treatment: Cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT. It’s used as a treatment option for everything from depression and anxiety to addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder. In CBT, therapists help patients identify problematic or flawed ways of thinking and behaving and replace them with a more positive and beneficial thought pattern. Still, it’s not the only specialized form of treatment for a wide variety of mental health disorders, and that’s why it’s important to understand the different but closely related concepts of dialectical behavior therapy vs. CBT and how they each fit into the therapy programs offered at WhiteSands Treatment for addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders.

While DBT was created as a specialized offshoot of CBT, there are distinct differences, according to the Harvard Medical School. During CBT treatment, therapists pinpoint incorrect or wrong thought patterns in their patients to be changed. This can be a hard idea to swallow for DBT patients, especially if they suffer from emotional dysfunction and have especially strong feelings and reactions. Instead of telling them that their feelings or thoughts are wrong, a dialectical behavior therapist would validate their feelings, telling them that they make sense because of who they are. Harvard Medical School points out that’s at the heart of the “dialectical” part of DBT because these therapy sessions start with the assumption that two distinctly opposite things can simultaneously be true.

What Does a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist Do?

In cognitive-behavioral therapy, the therapist will help patients identify their own thought patterns or flawed beliefs based on the principle that psychological problems at least partially stem from “faulty” or unhelpful behaviors and ways of thinking. Once the flaws are pinpointed, CBT therapists work with the patient to learn to recognize those distortions, reevaluate them, and learn new patterns and beliefs to better serve them during future stressful situations or problems. CBT treatment might include homework in addition to therapy practices and discussions, all centered on learning new coping skills.

What Mental Illness Does DBT Treat?

Dialectical behavior therapy is particularly tied to treatment for borderline personality disorder, according to a 2006 journal published on Psychiatry MMC. Its methods can help patients who suffer from this mental health condition by teaching them to manage their strong emotions and reactions. It also is beneficial for addressing some of the major problems of borderline personality disorder, such as chronic suicidal ideations and developing a habit of self-injury. However its methods have since found success in treating many other mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and addiction because the skills training inherent in DBT can help people figure out how to handle emotional situations better. When considering dialectical behavior therapy vs. CBT, therapists will weigh the unique benefits of these treatments to determine which may work best for their patients.

What Are the Benefits of CBT Therapy?

If you’re wondering about the differences between dialectical behavior therapy vs. CBT, it’s important to understand that each has specific benefits and advantages, and they both serve as independent treatment options. It’s ultimately about the treatment option most effective for the patient and their unique needs.

In the case of cognitive-behavioral therapy, patients will learn to recognize their flawed thought patterns that are leading to emotional stress and then gain new problem-solving and coping skills to handle challenges in the future. Over the course of CBT sessions, people can face their fears and figure out how to calm themselves — beneficial skills that they can use in a wide variety of circumstances, whether they’re trying to manage depression symptoms better, address an anxiety disorder, or overcome addiction.

It’s also considered a gold-standard mental health treatment option at drug and alcohol rehabs that can help people searching for dual diagnosis inpatient treatment near me. At WhiteSands Treatment, our addiction specialists know the importance of therapy in overcoming substance use disorder and mental health disorders at the same time. By addressing both challenges, people can leave our rehab better armed to handle the stresses of daily life and ensure they have a good start to their lives in recovery.

Who Benefits Most from DBT? 

Dialectical behavior health therapy is considered an essential therapy for people who suffer from emotional dysregulation, or difficulty controlling their strong emotions and reactions. Because this is a major part of borderline personality disorder, DBT is often used to help patients learn to manage their reactions and emotions. This can help them repair relationships and have more control of their daily lives, as well as address their possible chronic suicidal ideations and self-injury tendencies, according to Harvard Medical School. 

While dialectical behavior therapy was developed in the 1970s as a specialized form of behavior therapy to help chronically suicidal people, research suggests it has many other far-reaching applications, including in addiction treatment. According to a 2008 article in Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, clinical trials of DBT specifically geared to people with addiction found the treatment especially helped people reduce their substance abuse if they also had a co-occurring mental health disorder, such as borderline personality disorder or severe depression. By focusing on behaviors that interfere with their daily lives, DBT benefits people who need more emotional stability and better regulation if they are also dealing with addiction.

WhiteSands Treatment Offers Dialectical Behavior Therapy and CBT

Now that you understand the differences between dialectical behavior therapy vs. CBT — and just how powerful DBT can be for addiction treatment and helping people with co-occurring mental health disorders — you might be wondering how to choose the right place to help. There are many big reasons to choose WhiteSands’ alcohol and drug rehab, including our recognition five years in a row by Newsweek as one of America’s best addiction treatment centers.

But it’s not just about the awards when you choose WhiteSands Treatment. We offer a powerful, comprehensive range of addiction treatment programs at our network of facilities across Florida, delivering the compassionate, evidence-based care that you need to overcome addiction and mental health disorders and find the strength you need for a better life in recovery. We’re here to help wherever you are on the journey. Get started today by calling us at 877-855-3470.

External Sources

• Harvard Health Publishing — Dialectical Behavior Therapy: What Is It And Who Can It Help?
• National Library of Medicine — Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Substance Abusers
• National Library of Medicine — Dialectical Behavior Therapy

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.