Which therapeutic approach focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns associated with disorders?

Cognitive therapy is centered on recognizing and altering negative thought patterns that contribute to emotional distress and psychological disorders. This approach is grounded in the understanding that our thoughts significantly influence our feelings and behaviors. By identifying cognitive distortions—such as all-or-nothing thinking, overgeneralization, or catastrophizing—clients learn to challenge these thoughts and replace them with more balanced and constructive ones.

Through structured sessions, clients are taught to recognize specific thoughts that are automatic and often negative. By reframing these thoughts, individuals can reduce symptoms associated with various mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. The therapeutic process emphasizes skill-building, enabling individuals to maintain their gains beyond the therapy sessions, making it a practical and empowering approach to mental health treatment.

Other therapeutic approaches, while beneficial in their own rights, do not focus primarily on thought patterns in the same way as cognitive therapy does. For instance, behavioral therapy emphasizes the modification of harmful behaviors rather than addressing underlying thought processes directly. Humanistic therapy focuses more on personal growth and self-actualization, while psychoanalytic therapy delves into unconscious processes and past experiences. These distinctions highlight the unique role that cognitive therapy plays in treating disorders through the lens of thought modification.