What is CBT, DBT and ART?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is a practical, hands‑on approach that helps people understand how their thoughts (cognitions), feelings, and actions (Behaviors) influence one another. In therapy, you and your therapist work together to notice patterns of thinking that may be unhelpful or discouraging (stinking thinking), and explore how those patterns shape the choices you make or the emotions you feel.
As you begin to recognize these patterns, therapy focuses on developing healthier, more balanced ways of thinking. When your thoughts shift, your emotions and behaviors often shift with them. Many people find that this leads to more confidence, better coping skills, and a greater sense of control in their daily lives.
CBT is an active form of therapy, so it’s common to have small exercises or reflections to try between sessions. These might include practicing new ways of responding to stressful situations, noticing and challenging negative thoughts, or keeping track of moments when old patterns show up.
Research has shown that CBT can be helpful for many concerns, including anxiety, depression, mood challenges, and other emotional struggles. It’s one of the most widely used and well‑studied forms of therapy, and many clinicians are trained in it because of how effective and accessible it is.
At Becoming Transformed, we value the idea of renewing the mind — learning new ways of thinking that support healing, growth, and emotional well‑being
ART
CBT
Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, is a form of therapy that helps people learn how to accept their emotions while also building healthier ways to cope with them. It’s rooted in some of the ideas from CBT, but DBT places a stronger focus on acknowledging that your feelings and reactions make sense in the context of your experiences.
In DBT, you and your therapist work together to find a balance between accepting where you are right now and making meaningful changes that support your well‑being. Sessions often include learning practical skills, such as staying present in the moment, managing intense emotions, improving communication, and navigating stress in healthier ways.
Because DBT is skill‑based, it’s common to practice these tools between sessions. Many people find that using the skills in real‑life situations helps them feel more grounded, more in control, and better equipped to handle emotional ups and downs.
Research has shown that DBT can be highly effective for people who experience strong emotions, relationship challenges, or patterns that feel hard to break. With support and consistent practice, DBT can help individuals build a more stable, balanced, and empowered life
DBT
Accelerated Resolution Therapy, or ART, is a gentle and focused approach that helps people process painful or overwhelming memories in a new way. It’s used for trauma or PTSD, and it works by helping the brain shift how those memories are stored so they no longer trigger the same emotional or physical reactions.
During ART, the therapist guides the person through a series of calming, rhythmic eye movements while they briefly bring a difficult memory to mind. This process helps the brain “recode” the emotional response, allowing the memory to feel less intense or less distressing. Many people describe feeling lighter, calmer, or more grounded afterward.
One of the unique things about ART is how quickly it can work. Some individuals notice meaningful changes in just one session. The memory itself isn’t erased — but the emotional charge around it can soften dramatically, making triggers, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts far less overwhelming.
ART offers a structured, compassionate way to help the mind heal from trauma, giving people space to move forward without being pulled back into the past.