How does cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) primarily help patients?

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) primarily helps patients by focusing on the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It encourages individuals to recognize negative thought patterns that contribute to their mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression. Once these thought patterns are identified, patients learn how to challenge and change them, leading to a transformation in their emotional state and subsequent behaviors.

This approach is grounded in the understanding that altering one’s cognitive processes can significantly improve emotional well-being and lead to more positive behaviors. By teaching coping strategies and problem-solving skills, CBT empowers patients to gain control over their mental health and make constructive changes in their lives.

The other options do not encapsulate the core focus of CBT. For instance, addressing only past experiences does not align with CBT's more present-focused and forward-looking framework. Physical exercises, while beneficial for overall health, are not central to the cognitive and behavioral strategies that define CBT. Additionally, isolating patients from their support systems would conflict with the collaborative and supportive nature of therapeutic work that CBT aims to foster.