Which type of therapist emphasizes challenging absolutes such as 'must', 'always', and 'never' as irrational?

• A. Behavioral
• B. Cognitive
• C. Psychodynamic
• D. Humanistic

Answer: (B)

Absolutist thinking—talking as if things must be a certain way, always happen, or never be tolerable—is a cognitive distortion that this approach specifically targets. In cognitive therapy, the focus is on how our thoughts shape our feelings and behavior. Therapists help you spot these rigid beliefs, question their accuracy, and replace them with more flexible, realistic thoughts. They might have you examine the evidence for and against the belief, consider alternate explanations, and test what happens if you loosen the certainty of the statement. This disputing of irrational beliefs is a hallmark of cognitive therapy (often through approaches like REBT).

Behavioral approaches center on observable actions and learning through reinforcement, not on disputing the truth of statements like “I must” or “I always.” Psychodynamic therapy explores unconscious processes and past experiences, not primarily the language of beliefs. Humanistic therapy emphasizes self-acceptance and personal growth rather than systematically challenging specific absolutes.