Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Exam 2025 – Complete Practice Resource

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is specifically designed to identify and alter cognitive distortions, which are irrational or biased thoughts that can negatively influence emotions and behaviors. It is grounded in the belief that these thought patterns contribute to psychological distress. CBT techniques involve helping patients recognize these distortions, challenge their accuracy, and replace them with more rational and balanced thoughts. This therapeutic approach aims to change both cognitive processes and behavioral responses, effectively improving emotional regulation and coping strategies.

While the other therapies mentioned have their unique focuses, they do not primarily concentrate on cognitive distortions. Psychoanalysis delves into unconscious processes and childhood experiences for insight, dialectical behavior therapy combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness and emotional regulation strategies primarily for those with borderline personality disorder, and interpersonal therapy centers on improving interpersonal relationships and social functioning rather than cognitive patterns. Thus, CBT is distinctly centered on the modification of distorted thinking, making it the correct choice in this context.