What is a significant outcome of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is primarily focused on the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. One significant outcome of CBT is changing emotional responses through thought alteration. This process involves identifying negative or distorted thought patterns and replacing them with more balanced, rational thoughts. By doing so, individuals can change their feelings and behaviors associated with those thoughts. For instance, if a person consistently thinks, "I will fail," they may feel anxious and avoid challenges. Through CBT, they learn to recognize this thought as inaccurate and replace it with, "I am capable of succeeding if I prepare," which can lead to reduced anxiety and increased motivation.

The other options do not directly capture the main emphasis of CBT. Understanding historical context of mental illness tends to relate more to the fields of psychology and psychiatry in terms of cultural and social influences rather than the specific processes of therapy. Focusing on unconscious processes is more aligned with psychoanalytic approaches than CBT, which is concerned with conscious thought patterns. Lastly, while mindfulness and meditation can be components of some therapeutic approaches, they are not fundamental to the core techniques of CBT, which prioritize cognitive restructuring and behavioral changes rather than contemplative practices.