Practical Skills for Thoughts, Emotions, and Behavior
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy are structured approaches that help people understand patterns and practice new skills. Although they share some strategies, they are not the same treatment.
At Wings Counseling Center, clients throughout San Diego County can access CBT and DBT-informed therapy through our Carlsbad and La Mesa offices, with virtual appointments when clinically appropriate. Treatment is individualized around your concerns, goals, and the clinician’s training.
Talk With Our Team
If unhelpful thought patterns, intense emotions, impulsive reactions, avoidance, or relationship difficulties are interfering with your life, contact Wings Counseling Center. We can help you identify a therapist and approach that fits your needs.
What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?
CBT examines the connections among thoughts, emotions, and behavior. It helps you notice patterns that contribute to distress, evaluate whether those patterns are accurate or useful, and practice different responses.
CBT may include education, goal setting, skills practice, behavioral experiments, exposure when appropriate, and exercises between sessions. It is collaborative and focused on concerns affecting your life now.
What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?
DBT is a type of cognitive behavioral treatment that emphasizes balancing acceptance with change. It teaches skills in mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Comprehensive DBT is a specific treatment model with multiple components. A therapist who incorporates DBT skills into individual therapy is providing DBT-informed care, not necessarily a comprehensive DBT program.
How Can CBT Help?
CBT may help people respond differently to anxiety, depression, stress, trauma-related symptoms, anger, sleep difficulties, and other concerns. The specific techniques depend on the problem being treated.
The National Institute of Mental Health identifies CBT as one element used across evidence-based psychotherapies and notes that treatment should be tailored to the condition and the individual.
How Can DBT Skills Help?
DBT skills can help people pause before acting, tolerate distress, understand emotional vulnerability, communicate needs, set boundaries, and respond more effectively in relationships.
These skills may be useful for people who experience intense emotions or recurring interpersonal difficulties. A clinician should determine whether DBT-informed work, comprehensive DBT, or another treatment is appropriate.
What Should You Expect?
Early sessions focus on your concerns, goals, and the patterns affecting your life. Your therapist may track specific situations, teach a skill, and help you practice applying it.
Therapy is active and collaborative. You may be asked to notice patterns or practice strategies between appointments. Progress should be reviewed and the plan adjusted when needed.
CBT or DBT: Which Is Right for Me?
There is no universal answer. CBT may be especially useful when thoughts and behaviors maintain a specific problem. DBT may be considered when emotion regulation, impulsivity, distress tolerance, or relationship patterns are central concerns.
Many clinicians integrate methods. Ask what your therapist is trained to provide and why that approach is being recommended.
Why Choose Wings Counseling Center?
Wings Counseling Center offers individualized therapy from clinicians with different areas of expertise. Our team can help match you with a provider whose training fits your goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are CBT and DBT only for diagnosed disorders?
No. Skills from these approaches may help with many forms of emotional or behavioral distress. Treatment should still be based on an individual assessment.
Will I have homework?
You may be invited to practice skills or track patterns between sessions. Your therapist should explain how this supports your goals.
How long does treatment take?
Length varies by concern, goals, progress, and treatment format. Your therapist can discuss expectations after assessment.
Schedule a Consultation
Contact Wings Counseling Center to learn about current CBT and DBT-informed providers and discuss the right next step.