A nurse is describing cognitive therapy to a new nurse. Which of the following is the correct explanation as to how cognitive therapy works?

A. This statement refers more to psychodynamic therapy, which explores how past experiences influence current behaviors and emotions. B. The nature versus nurture concept is related to developmental psychology and personality formation, not the core principle of cognitive therapy. C. Cognitive therapy focuses on the client’s current thoughts, beliefs, and perceptions, with the understanding that distorted thinking patterns contribute to emotional distress and maladaptive behaviors. Therapy aims to identify and modify these dysfunctional thought patterns to improve mood and behavior, emphasizing the present rather than past experiences. D. This statement also aligns more closely with psychodynamic approaches, which explore childhood experiences to understand present reactions, rather than the present-focused approach of cognitive therapy.