Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy - Essay
A Brief Introduction To
Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy
By Wayne Froggatt
Third Ed.(this version Feb 2005)
Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) is based on the concept that emotions and behaviours result from cognitive processes; and that it is possible for human beings to modify such processes to achieve different ways of feeling and behaving. REBT is one of a number of therapies that come under the heading ‘cognitive-behavioural’.
In the mid-1950’s Dr. Albert Ellis, a clinical psychologist trained in psychoanalysis, became disillusioned with the slow progress of his clients. He observed that they tended to get better when they changed their ways of thinking about themselves, their problems, and the world. Ellis reasoned that therapy would progress faster if the focus was directly on the client’s beliefs, and thus was born the method now known as Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy. REBT was originally called ‘Rational Therapy’, soon changed to ‘Rational-Emotive Therapy’ and again in the early 1990’s to ‘Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy’. REBT is one of a number of ‘cognitive-behavioural’ therapies, which, although developed separately, have many similarities – such as Cognitive Therapy (CT), developed by Psychiatrist Aaron Beck in the 1960’s. REBT and CT together form the basis of the family of psychotherapies known as ‘Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy’. Over the past halfcentury, REBT has developed significantly, and continues to change.
(about themselves, other people, and the world in general). It is what people believe about situations they face – not the situations themselves – that determines how they feel and behave. REBT, however, also argues that a person’s biology also affects their feelings and behaviours – an important point, as it is a reminder to the therapist that there are limitations to how far a human being can change. A person’s belief system is seen to be a product of both biological inheritance and learning throughout life. A useful
Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy
By Wayne Froggatt
Third Ed.(this version Feb 2005)
Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) is based on the concept that emotions and behaviours result from cognitive processes; and that it is possible for human beings to modify such processes to achieve different ways of feeling and behaving. REBT is one of a number of therapies that come under the heading ‘cognitive-behavioural’.
In the mid-1950’s Dr. Albert Ellis, a clinical psychologist trained in psychoanalysis, became disillusioned with the slow progress of his clients. He observed that they tended to get better when they changed their ways of thinking about themselves, their problems, and the world. Ellis reasoned that therapy would progress faster if the focus was directly on the client’s beliefs, and thus was born the method now known as Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy. REBT was originally called ‘Rational Therapy’, soon changed to ‘Rational-Emotive Therapy’ and again in the early 1990’s to ‘Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy’. REBT is one of a number of ‘cognitive-behavioural’ therapies, which, although developed separately, have many similarities – such as Cognitive Therapy (CT), developed by Psychiatrist Aaron Beck in the 1960’s. REBT and CT together form the basis of the family of psychotherapies known as ‘Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy’. Over the past halfcentury, REBT has developed significantly, and continues to change.
(about themselves, other people, and the world in general). It is what people believe about situations they face – not the situations themselves – that determines how they feel and behave. REBT, however, also argues that a person’s biology also affects their feelings and behaviours – an important point, as it is a reminder to the therapist that there are limitations to how far a human being can change. A person’s belief system is seen to be a product of both biological inheritance and learning throughout life. A useful
Links: page). _________________________________________________________ Rational Self-Analysis REBT emphasises teaching clients to be their own therapists. A useful technique to aid this is Rational SelfAnalysis which involves writing down an emotional episode in a structured fashion. Here is an example of such an analysis using the example described at the beginning of this article: A. Activating Event. The event: Friend passed me in the street without acknowledging me. My inferences about this event: He’s ignoring me and doesn’t like me. I could end up without friends for ever. I’m not acceptable as a friend. C. Consequence (how I reacted): Feelings: worthless, depressed. Behaviour: avoiding people generally. B. Beliefs (My evaluative thinking about the ‘A’): 1. It would be terrible to end up without friends for ever. 2. Because I’m not acceptable as a friend I must be worthless as a person. 3. To feel worthwhile and be happy, I must be liked and approved by everyone significant to me. (core belief) E. New Effect (how I would prefer to feel/behave): Disappointed but not depressed. D. Disputing (new rational beliefs to help me achieve this new reaction): 1. There’s nothing to prove I’ll never have friends again – but, even if this did happen, it would be unpleasant rather than a source of ‘terror’. 2. There’s no proof I’m not acceptable as a friend – but even if I were, this proves nothing about the total ‘me’, or my ‘worthwhileness’. (And, anyway, what does ‘worthwhile’ mean?). 3. Love and approval are highly desirable. But, they are not absolute necessities. Making them so is not only illogical, but actually screws me up when I think they may not be forthcoming. Better I keep them as preferences rather than demands. F. Further Action (what I’ll do to avoid repeating the same irrational/thoughts reactions): 1. Go and see my friend, check out how things really are. 2. If he doesn’t want me as a friend, I’ll start looking elsewhere. 3. Re-read the handout on catastrophising and self-rating. 4. Challenge my irrational demand for approval by doing one thing each day (for the next week) that I would normally avoid doing because of fear it may lead to disapproval. Copyright Notice: This document is copyright © to the author (2005). Single copies (which must include this notice) may be made for therapeutic or training purposes. To use in any other way, please contact: Wayne Froggatt, PO Box 2292, Stortford Lodge, Hastings, New Zealand. Fax 64-6-870-9964. E-mail: wayne@rational.org.nz Comments are welcomed. Page 15 of 15