Which of the following is included among the six CBT strategies?

• A. Dream interpretation
• B. Hypnosis
• C. Relaxation
• D. Electroconvulsive therapy

Answer: (C)

Relaxation training is included in CBT strategies because it gives a concrete skill to reduce physiological arousal that often fuels anxious thoughts. By lowering tension, slowing breathing, and quieting the body, clients are better able to engage with cognitive techniques like identifying and challenging automatic worries and with behavioral methods such as gradual exposure or activity planning. Practices such as progressive muscle relaxation or controlled breathing help break the link between feeling anxious and reacting with avoidance or spiraling thoughts, making CBT work more effectively.

Dream interpretation comes from psychodynamic approaches that focus on unconscious content rather than teaching coping skills. Hypnosis is a separate technique not typically classified as a core CBT strategy, though it may be used in some contexts as an adjunct. Electroconvulsive therapy is a medical treatment used for certain severe conditions and is not a CBT strategy.