A client repeatedly stated, "I'm stupid.”. Which statement by that client would show progress resulting from cognitive behavioral therapy?

Choice A rationale This statement reflects a global, self-defeating cognitive distortion known as overgeneralization, applying a single failure to all future attempts ("always fail"). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) aims to challenge and modify such rigid, irrational beliefs toward more balanced, realistic thinking, making this statement a lack of progress within the therapeutic framework. Choice B rationale This is another example of pervasive cognitive distortion, specifically all-or-nothing thinking or catastrophizing, suggesting a view that all life events are inherently negative ("always go wrong"). Progress in CBT involves moving away from these absolute terms to recognize situational variance and positive outcomes, thus this statement indicates limited therapeutic change. Choice C rationale This statement, "Sometimes I do stupid things," demonstrates cognitive restructuring and de-personalization of failure, which are key goals in CBT. By using the word "Sometimes," the client reframes the self-criticism from a global, fixed self-identity ("I'm stupid") to a specific, contextualized behavior ("do stupid things"), showing an awareness that negative actions do not define the whole self. Choice D rationale "I'm disappointed in my lack of ability" shifts the language from a global self-label to a feeling about a performance deficit. While less absolute than the original statement, it still focuses on an internal, perceived deficit ("lack of ability") rather than separating the behavior from the self and acknowledging the situational nature of error, which is the hallmark of progress in CBT.