Cognitive therapists assume that problem behaviors and emotions are caused by what?

Cognitive therapists generally think that behaviors and emotions that cause problems are caused by maladaptive thoughts.

This literally means that your thoughts are not helpful to you.

An example of this is a person that thinks they are worthless. Even though it is probably not true, they automatically think it and it can cause depression.

Treatments are based on identifying these maladaptive thoughts, realizing that they are automatic, and challenging them.