Which type of therapy helps clients confront maladaptive thoughts and behaviors?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that specifically focuses on helping clients identify and confront their maladaptive thoughts and behaviors. The core premise of CBT is that our thoughts significantly influence our emotions and behaviors. During therapy sessions, clients learn to recognize negative or irrational thought patterns—often referred to as cognitive distortions—and challenge these thoughts to create healthier, more adaptive ways of thinking.

CBT involves various techniques, such as cognitive restructuring, which encourages clients to reframe negative thoughts, and behavioral activation, which helps clients engage in positive activities that can alleviate symptoms of distress. The structured nature of CBT allows clients to actively participate in the process, making it highly effective for addressing a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders.

In contrast, while Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) incorporates some cognitive-behavioral elements, it primarily focuses on skills for managing emotions and improving interpersonal effectiveness, rather than directly confronting maladaptive thoughts. Motivational Interviewing is a client-centered approach aimed at enhancing motivation to change rather than confronting thoughts directly. Aversive Therapy utilizes an unpleasant stimulus to condition negative associations with maladaptive behaviors, which does not involve the cognitive restructuring focus of CBT. Therefore, CBT