What is "cognitive restructuring" aimed at?

Cognitive restructuring is a therapeutic process specifically designed to identify and change unhelpful cognitive distortions that can affect a person's thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. This approach is based on the understanding that our thoughts significantly influence our feelings and actions. By helping clients recognize distorted thinking patterns—such as all-or-nothing thinking, overgeneralization, and catastrophizing—therapists can guide them in reframing these thoughts in a more balanced and realistic way.

This process is central to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and is effective in treating various mental health issues, including anxiety and depression. By addressing the cognitive aspects of emotional distress, cognitive restructuring empowers clients to gain a more accurate perspective on their experiences, which can lead to improved emotional health and behavior changes.