Cognitive
Behavioral
Therapy
(or CBT)
What is Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a proven therapeutic approach that focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors to improve emotional regulation and overall mental health. This is done by learning to question the validity of unhelpful beliefs/thoughts and think of more constructive thoughts that can take their place.
There are often behavioral experiments with change that clients and therapists come up with together. For example, if social anxiety tells you not to ‘bother’ people, one might do experiments like asking a librarian for recommendations, or start a conversation with a friend, or ask to move your appointment time and see if the other person has any observable signs of being significantly ‘bothered.’
By addressing specific goals in a structured and collaborative manner, CBT helps individuals develop practical skills to manage stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns.
How are
CBT and DBT
Different?
DBT is a third wave CBT treatment, meaning that mindfulness/acceptance is infused into the spirit of the approach. It is different from DBT in that CBT spends more time changing thoughts that are unhelpful whereas DBT spends more time acquiring and practicing behavioral skills to help you get through difficult moments without making things worse. DBT also involves paying attention to a hierarchy of needs when deciding what to focus on in session.
