What type of therapy focuses on changing unhelpful cognitive distortions and behaviors?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that emphasizes the interconnections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The fundamental principle of CBT is that our thoughts can significantly influence our emotions and actions. By identifying and changing unhelpful cognitive distortions—such as all-or-nothing thinking, overgeneralization, and catastrophizing—CBT aims to reduce negative emotional responses and encourage healthier behaviors.

CBT is structured, goal-oriented, and often involves the patient actively participating in their own treatment. Techniques commonly used in CBT include cognitive restructuring, exposure to feared situations, and behavioral activation, all of which focus on creating a more adaptive thought process and promoting positive behavioral changes. This makes CBT particularly effective for a variety of mental health issues, including anxiety disorders, depression, and more.

Other therapeutic modalities, such as psychodynamic therapy, humanistic therapy, and exposure therapy, do have their strengths but do not focus on the cognitive distortions to the same extent as CBT. While psychodynamic therapy explores unconscious processes and past experiences, humanistic therapy emphasizes personal growth and self-actualization, and exposure therapy specifically addresses phobias and anxiety by gradually exposing individuals to feared situations. Thus, CBT stands out as the therapy specifically aimed at