Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) represents the interactions of how we think (cognitve), how we act (behavior), and how we feel (emotion). CBT is a problem-focused form of therapy that helps reduce psychological distress by finding new ways of thinking and behaving.  By challenging or changing thoughts, we can often change behaviors and how we feel.  

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a treatment designed specifically for individuals with self-harm behaviors, such as self-cutting, suicide thoughts, urges to suicide, and suicide attempts. Many clients with these behaviors meet criteria for a disorder called Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). It is not unusual for individuals diagnosed with BPD to also struggle with other challenges -- depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, eating disorders, or alcohol and drug abuse. DBT is a modification of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) developed by Marsha Linehan, Ph.D. It is important to note that DBT is an “empirically-supported treatment.” That means it has been researched in clinical trials, just as new medications should be researched to determine whether or not they work better than a placebo (sugar pill). While the research on DBT was conducted initially with women who were diagnosed with BPD, DBT is now being used for people with a variety of life challenges.