Rosh Psychiatry Board Practice Exam 2026 - Free Psychiatry Board Practice Questions and Study Guide

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) primarily focuses on changing negative thought patterns. This evidence-based approach operates on the premise that thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are interconnected. By identifying and restructuring distorted thinking patterns, clients can alter their emotional responses and behaviors, leading to improved mental health.

In practice, CBT involves techniques such as cognitive restructuring, where clients learn to challenge and replace unhelpful thoughts with more realistic or positive ones. This focus on modifying cognitive distortions helps individuals develop better coping strategies, ultimately enhancing their overall functioning and well-being.

While exploring childhood experiences may provide useful context in some therapeutic modalities, it is not the focal point of CBT. Similarly, medication can be an important component of treatment for some individuals, but CBT itself does not involve pharmacological interventions. The idea of increasing therapy sessions does not align with the core principles of CBT, which emphasize efficiency and goal-oriented practices rather than merely prolonging the treatment process. Thus, the emphasis on altering negative thought patterns is what makes CBT a distinctive and effective therapeutic approach.