Cognitive therapy is a type of psychotherapy that concentrates on spotting and altering unhelpful thinking patterns that contribute to emotional distress and mental health issues.

When combined with behavioral techniques to alter actions, it’s commonly referred to as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is based on the idea that thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected, meaning that negative thoughts can lead to negative emotions and behaviors.

Cognitive therapy aims to improve mood and overall mental well-being by modifying these negative thoughts.