What is the overall aim of cognitive-behavioral therapy?

• A. To pharmacologically alter brain function.
• B. To ignore thoughts and focus on behavior.
• C. To alter irrational beliefs and interpretations to reduce distress and improve functioning.
• D. To increase avoidance of distressing situations.

Answer: (C)

CBT targets how we interpret events because distress often stems from distorted or unhelpful thoughts. By identifying automatic negative thoughts and cognitive distortions and testing them through evidence and behavioral experiments, you learn to adopt more balanced beliefs, which reduces distress and improves functioning. This fits because the aim is not to change brain chemistry pharmacologically, nor to ignore thoughts, nor to increase avoidance; instead, it emphasizes actively modifying cognitions to shape emotions and behavior, and often involves facing rather than avoiding distressing situations.