Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) components affect specific cognitive mechanisms. Agnes Norbury and colleagues demonstrate how combining theory with computational methods can reveal the effects of different CBT components on underlying cognitive processes. They tested brief components of behavioral and cognitive therapies on cognitive processes using validated behavioral measures and computational models. A goal setting intervention based on behavioral activation therapy reduced sensitivity to effort when deciding to act for rewards. A cognitive restructuring intervention based on cognitive therapy reduced the tendency to attribute negative events to self-related causes. The effects of each intervention were specific to these respective measures. The study provides a basis for understanding how different elements of psychotherapy programs work. The research highlights the importance of developing reliable and acceptable measures of cognitive processes to identify mechanisms of psychological interventions. The findings suggest that goal setting interventions based on behavioral activation therapy reduce effort sensitivity during reward-effort decision-making, while cognitive restructuring interventions reduce internal attribution of negative events. The study also shows that individual differences in symptom profiles may relate to the magnitude of effects of each intervention on underlying cognitive mechanisms. The results indicate that behavioral amotivation symptoms are associated with greater response to goal setting interventions but smaller response to cognitive restructuring interventions. The study underscores the importance of understanding the mechanisms underlying treatment response to achieve more effective and personalized psychotherapy. The findings suggest that different components of CBT may work through distinct cognitive mechanisms, and that individual differences in symptom profiles may influence the effectiveness of these interventions. The study provides preliminary evidence that behavioral amotivation symptoms may relate to greater responses to goal setting interventions and lesser responses to cognitive restructuring interventions. The research highlights the potential of using computational methods to explore the mechanisms by which psychotherapy components affect cognitive processes. The study contributes to the understanding of how different elements of psychotherapy programs may work and provides a foundation for future research on treatment personalization.Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) components affect specific cognitive mechanisms. Agnes Norbury and colleagues demonstrate how combining theory with computational methods can reveal the effects of different CBT components on underlying cognitive processes. They tested brief components of behavioral and cognitive therapies on cognitive processes using validated behavioral measures and computational models. A goal setting intervention based on behavioral activation therapy reduced sensitivity to effort when deciding to act for rewards. A cognitive restructuring intervention based on cognitive therapy reduced the tendency to attribute negative events to self-related causes. The effects of each intervention were specific to these respective measures. The study provides a basis for understanding how different elements of psychotherapy programs work. The research highlights the importance of developing reliable and acceptable measures of cognitive processes to identify mechanisms of psychological interventions. The findings suggest that goal setting interventions based on behavioral activation therapy reduce effort sensitivity during reward-effort decision-making, while cognitive restructuring interventions reduce internal attribution of negative events. The study also shows that individual differences in symptom profiles may relate to the magnitude of effects of each intervention on underlying cognitive mechanisms. The results indicate that behavioral amotivation symptoms are associated with greater response to goal setting interventions but smaller response to cognitive restructuring interventions. The study underscores the importance of understanding the mechanisms underlying treatment response to achieve more effective and personalized psychotherapy. The findings suggest that different components of CBT may work through distinct cognitive mechanisms, and that individual differences in symptom profiles may influence the effectiveness of these interventions. The study provides preliminary evidence that behavioral amotivation symptoms may relate to greater responses to goal setting interventions and lesser responses to cognitive restructuring interventions. The research highlights the potential of using computational methods to explore the mechanisms by which psychotherapy components affect cognitive processes. The study contributes to the understanding of how different elements of psychotherapy programs may work and provides a foundation for future research on treatment personalization.