Psychology MCAT Practice Exam 2025 – Complete All-in-One Guide to Ensure Your Success!

The main goal of cognitive therapy is to challenge distorted beliefs and thought patterns. This type of therapy, also known as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), focuses on identifying and modifying negative and irrational thoughts that contribute to emotional distress and psychological problems. By helping individuals recognize these distorted thoughts, cognitive therapy encourages them to replace them with more balanced and rational thinking.

This process can lead to significant improvements in mood and behavior, as the way one interprets and reacts to situations is often tied to these cognitive patterns. Rather than concentrating on physical aspects of health or memory retention, cognitive therapy is fundamentally about improving mental processes and emotional well-being by reshaping thought patterns. Creating group dynamics, while beneficial in some therapeutic settings, is not the primary goal of cognitive therapy and is more aligned with group therapy approaches.