Which form of therapy focuses on changing maladaptive emotions through behavioral strategies?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is specifically designed to address maladaptive emotions and behaviors, making it highly effective for individuals struggling with emotional regulation, particularly those with borderline personality disorder. This therapeutic approach integrates cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices to help individuals recognize and alter harmful emotional responses and behaviors.

DBT emphasizes the importance of validating a person's feelings while simultaneously pushing them toward change. It employs various behavioral strategies to promote emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. Techniques such as interpersonal effectiveness skills, emotional regulation skills, and distress tolerance skills collectively aid individuals in managing their emotions and behaviors more adaptively.

While Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) also focuses on changing maladaptive thoughts and behaviors, DBT extends beyond this by incorporating the element of acceptance and mindfulness, which is pivotal in managing emotions. Similarly, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Exposure Therapy serve different purposes in the therapeutic setting. ACT focuses on accepting thoughts and feelings rather than changing them, while Exposure Therapy specifically targets anxiety through gradual exposure to fear-inducing stimuli without the broader focus on emotional regulation that DBT incorporates.