Today, therapists offer an array of treatments for co-occurring disorders. Although each treatment is designed with the same goal in mind, it provides a different path to recovery. Two therapies, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), do just that. They help people work through their addiction or mental disorder, but they use different techniques. But what are the similarities and differences between CBT vs. DBT?

Both CBT and DBT help people explore the negative thoughts, patterns, or behaviors that often trigger symptoms of a mental disorder. These harmful elements, combined with other circumstances, often trigger an addiction to alcohol or drugs.

At Foothills at Red Oak Recovery, our mental health professionals know how important it is to use talk therapy to effectively treat addiction and mental health problems in teenage boys. Our programs are exclusively available to adolescent boys ages 14-17. In our centers, our clients can connect with one another while learning the skills for a healthier, happier future. If your teenage son is struggling with drugs, alcohol, or their mental health, call 866.300.5275 today to learn about our treatment programs.

Now, let’s take a look at the difference between CBT vs. DBT and how they help teens recover from substance abuse.

What Is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?

CBT is a type of talk therapy or psychotherapy treatment program that helps people work through negative or distorted thoughts or beliefs. Once they become aware of the negativity inside, they can respond to it in a more appropriate manner.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy plays a central role in helping you navigate through situations in your life without turning to addiction or destructive behavior. During your early session, your therapist will encourage you to talk about your thoughts and feelings. They will take notes and assess your situation. You will focus on specific problems related to your mental condition or addiction.

From there, the therapist will help you reframe these thoughts and replace them with positive thoughts or beliefs. The goal is to help you look at a situation differently so that you choose different actions.

CBT works best when following a structure including:

• Being open and honest about what the real issues are and what is going on inside you
• Sticking to the treatment plan and listening to your therapist – Do the homework and follow instructions
• Being patient – It takes five to 20 sessions for you to get the most out of CBT
• Partnering with your therapist and taking advantage of their expertise

What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?

The primary purpose of DBT is to help you learn to live in the moment and manage your stress or anxiety. DBT teaches you how to regulate your emotions and improve your relationship with friends, family, or coworkers—basically, everybody.

DBT helps you understand four basic concepts:

• What goes on in your mind is directly linked to your emotions and your behaviors
• You can’t control change or the action of others
• Conflict can help you see the truth of any situation
• The key to adopting positive acceptance – both external and internal

When you work with your therapist, you explore the conflict that comes from contradictions. In other words, you notice how opposing forces can create stress or anxiety in your life. You then learn how to work through these opposing forces productively.

There are four main components of DBT, including mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal skills, and emotion regulation. Your sessions involve mastering these components. Our dialectical behavior therapy sessions seek to help our clients find wellness in all these areas.

CBT vs. DBT: Which Is Right for Your Teen?

Finding the right type of therapy with a compassionate therapist can make all the difference when taking the first steps toward a healthier, happier future. Even after learning the differences between CBT vs. DBT, deciding which one is most appropriate can be daunting.

Foothills at Red Oak can help you discover the right treatment plan for your teen’s mental health condition or social media addiction. Whether you choose CBT or DBT, we are dedicated to helping our clients achieve a full recovery. To find out more about your treatment options, call us at 866.300.5275 or contact us online.