A family of talking therapies come under the label of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.  The theory that underlies all CBT ways of working proposes that the way to address problems is to look at how an individual's thoughts, emotions and actions interact.  Unhelpful beliefs and negative or biased thinking shapes how we behave and feel.  By helping someone identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviours, symptoms will be greatly lessened.  In addition, the person develops skills, both practical and cognitive, that enables her or him to deal differently with previously difficult situations.  Cognitive behavioural therapists often assign homework as a way of challenging their clients' catastrophic thinking and expectations.