Which of the following are the two primary CBT techniques used for cognitive restructuring?

• A. Thought records and cognitive disputing.
• B. Systematic desensitization and exposure.
• C. Mindfulness meditation and body scan.
• D. Psychoanalysis and dream interpretation.

Answer: (A)

In cognitive restructuring, the aim is to transform unhelpful thoughts into more balanced interpretations so mood and behavior improve. The two main techniques used to achieve this are thought records and cognitive disputing. Thought records provide a structured way to capture the triggering situation, the automatic thought that arises, the associated emotion, and the evidence for and against that thought, guiding you toward a more balanced alternative. Cognitive disputing involves actively challenging the automatic thought with questions that test its logic, evidence, and practicality, helping you arrive at a more accurate appraisal. The other options reflect different therapeutic approaches: systematic desensitization and exposure target feared situations through gradual exposure; mindfulness practices cultivate nonjudgmental awareness and can support CBT but aren’t the core cognitive restructuring tools; psychoanalysis and dream interpretation come from psychodynamic therapy and focus on unconscious processes rather than structured cognitive restructuring.