Which therapeutic approach emphasizes identifying and changing negative thought patterns?

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a therapeutic approach that focuses on identifying and altering negative thought patterns that can lead to maladaptive behavior and emotional distress. The premise of CBT is that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected, and that changing negative thought patterns can ultimately lead to changes in feelings and behaviors.

In CBT, clients are taught to recognize distorted thinking—such as catastrophizing or black-and-white thinking—and to challenge these thoughts by evaluating their accuracy and developing more balanced perspectives. This cognitive restructuring process empowers clients to replace maladaptive thoughts with more rational and positive ones, which can improve emotional regulation and lead to healthier behaviors.

The emphasis in CBT on the role of thought processes sets it apart from other therapeutic approaches. For instance, behavioral therapy primarily focuses on changing behaviors through the use of reinforcement and punishment, rather than addressing thoughts directly. Humanistic therapy concentrates on personal growth and self-actualization, often emphasizing the therapeutic relationship and self-discovery without a structured method for addressing cognitive distortions. Psychoanalytic therapy delves into the unconscious mind and past experiences, exploring how these factors influence behavior, but it does not specifically prioritize the identification and modification of thought patterns in the same way that CBT does.

Thus, the focus