Summary: Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy

Michael was referred to Dr. Jones, a psychologist who specializes in Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), by his concerned parents. Michael’s parents are concerned about their son’s anxiety and worry he might be developing depression. Dr. Jones specializes in the Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) version of CBT, therefore, he will move forward with Michael’s assessment and treatment with this technique in mind.
Ethical Dilemmas Dr. Jones must be aware of the ethical dilemmas that may present themselves during Michael’s treatment. For example, CBT has the client reflect and explore irrational beliefs, and REBT has a very direct approach in pointing out negative irrational beliefs. This direct dialogue may cause Michael feelings of depression
To commence this, Dr. Jones will ask three main questions to Michael, “What is the evidence of this belief? Not being in control is horrible?”, “How else can you interpret the situation?”, and “If it is true, what are the implications of not being in control?”. These questions will make Michael think on his irrational beliefs, if there could be a more rational reaction to these situations. Dr. Jones will first model and guide Michael through a relaxation technique called deep-breathing exercises, the process of controlled deep breathing to calm down from anxiety, and to show Michael he has control over his anxiety through this technique. In addition, Dr. Jones will assign Michael to practice his deep-breathing exercises outside of their sessions, so Michael can get used to performing his deep breathing when he starts to feel anxious. After Michael has practiced his deep-breathing exercises, Dr. Jones will have Michael perform guided imagery with him, in this guided imagery Dr. Jones will have Michael imagine an activating event (e.g. at school and he is randomly assigned a seating partner in class), however, instead of a negative feeling, Dr. Jones will guide the imagined situation to elicit a healthier emotion. For example, instead of finding the unforeseen event as threatening, he should consider that the student he is seated with is in the same situation as he is, it could be a new friend he makes, and even if he does not click with the seating partner it will not impede his classwork because the other student will not bother him. If Michael starts to feel anxious he should perform his relaxation technique to calm himself down, when he does, Dr. Jones will repeat the imagery, so Michael will be conditioned to see this new situation as something he can take advantage of