The Difference Between CBT and DBT

Could someone explain in laymen's terms the difference between Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Dialectal Behaviour Therapy? I don't understand the difference... thanks!

Hey Nihilism Opportunity,

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) focuses on maladaptive patterns of behaviour and thinking and how to replace these with more adaptive alternatives using counter conditioning principles of classical and operant conditioning (this kind of stuff http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtfQlkGw ... re=related).

However, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) doesn't commit itself to only change based strategies because the populations it is intended for can't always change the things that are bothering them. Instead, DBT emphasizes acceptance and tolerance/coping skills for how to deal with problems that can't be changed by the individual (this kind of stuff http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eec_SA6oSEA).

As far as I know, DBT works much better for certain populations than others: people with Borderline Personality Disorder, Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia, and few other disorders.

Hope you're feeling better. Take care.