In cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), the focus of intervention is to:

In cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), the primary focus is on modifying negative thought patterns. This therapeutic approach operates on the premise that a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected, and that dysfunctional or distorted thinking can lead to emotional and behavioral issues. The goal of CBT is to help individuals identify these negative thought patterns and replace them with more realistic and positive ones.

This process often involves techniques like cognitive restructuring, where clients learn to challenge and change their harmful beliefs and assumptions. By addressing these thought patterns, individuals are better able to manage their emotional responses and behaviors, leading to improved mental well-being.

In contrast, while enhancing social skills can be a part of therapy, it is not the central focus of CBT. Similarly, analyzing unconscious motivations and exploring past experiences are more characteristic of psychodynamic approaches rather than CBT, which emphasizes present thoughts and behaviors instead.