Which statement correctly describes the core aims of CBT and DBT?

• A. CBT aims to identify and modify distorted thoughts and behaviors to reduce distress; DBT emphasizes acceptance and change, with skills in distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness.
• B. DBT emphasizes dream interpretation; CBT focuses on behavior change.
• C. DBT ignores emotions.
• D. CBT and DBT have identical techniques.

Answer: (A)

Understanding how CBT and DBT differ in aims and techniques: CBT targets identifying and modifying distorted thoughts and the associated behaviors to reduce distress, using structured cognitive and behavioral strategies and homework. DBT blends acceptance with change, teaching skills in distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness, often with validation and a dialectical approach. This aligns with the statement that CBT focuses on cognitive-behavioral change and DBT combines acceptance with targeted skill-building across those four domains. The other descriptions misstate DBT’s focus (dream interpretation isn’t a DBT staple), claim DBT ignores emotions, or suggest CBT and DBT use identical techniques.