REBT – Rational Emotional Behavioral Therapy

Rational Emotional Behavioral Therapy, or REBT, is a form of psychotherapy that was developed by Albert Ellis in the 1950s. It is based on the idea that our emotions are rational and adaptive, and that we can learn to change our thought patterns to better manage our emotions. REBT has been shown to be an effective treatment for a variety of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and addiction.

Rational Emotional Behavioral Therapy (REBT) is an integrative, therapeutic approach that can be used in conjunction with other psychotherapy models. Rational Emotional Behavioral Therapy (REBT) focuses on the individual’s understanding of and reaction to emotional experiences by providing a set of tools for analyzing irrational beliefs that perpetuate anger, depression, or anxiety.

Before discussing specific irrational beliefs, Dr. Ellis generally recommends his clients try various exercises designed to change their perspective about events in their past. These exercises vary from picturing oneself as a six-year-old experiencing the same event(s), to telling oneself one must not feel guilty if he does so without resentment looking back on one’s life successes rather than dwelling on failures will help one achieve.

What is the purpose of Rational Emotional Behavioral Therapy?

Rationally Emotional Behavior Therapy is used to help clients understand how emotional responses can get in the way of rational thinking.
This therapy teaches clients skills that will help them deal adaptively with difficult emotions and urges while remaining in control, thereby reducing the frequency or severity of these negative emotions.

What Is REBT – Rational Emotional Behavioral Therapy ?

Rational Emotional Behavioral Therapy ( REBT ), the most important therapy method inspired by cognitive

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is a type of cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy developed by Albert Ellis in the 1950s. It focuses on resolving emotional and behavioral problems by modifying dysfunctional beliefs, which he argued were at the root of many psychological disturbances.

REBT is one of the first forms of cognitive-behavioral therapy and is also one of the most widely practiced therapies today. A large number of studies have shown that REBT is effective in treating a wide range of psychological problems, including anxiety, depression, anger management issues, and general psychosocial dysfunction.

rational emotional behavioral therapy
@psychotherapy_counselling_5

Albert Ellis, known as the first example of cognitive theories and the pioneer of Rational Emotional Behavioral Theory, developed the theory of Rational Psychotherapy in 1961 under the name of Rational Emotive Therapy in 1961. Albert Ellis thought that the free connotation method was quite lacking in solving the problems and this makes the clients relive those traumatic events. In this context, he focused on the beliefs of the clients and encouraged them to work with them in this field by enabling them to discover their unrealistic thought systems in the solution of their problems.

The therapeutic process in REBT is not only with the disappearance or reduction of anxiety, depression, anger, despicableness, guilt, and other emotional problems but also with positive areas such as happiness, life satisfaction, rational acting, independence, responsibility, and ability to use the existing potential of individuals.

Similarly, Ellis argues that not only the effects of pure irrational beliefs on mental health but also intellectual, emotional, and behavioral factors significantly determine individuals’ mental, physical and social resilience as well as their relationships with others and the outside. Although the model is expressed as ABCDE, this theory, which covers the treatment processes of the clients, uses the hypotheses in clinical settings.

rebt
@karenkingharriscounselling

You can find certified RBT therapists worldwide at albertellis.org/find-therapists/.

Rational Emotional Behavioral Therapy (REBT) Technique

Beliefs in this model are important. According to the model; the beliefs individuals have about an event or situation (B) towards an ‘activating’ (A) event/situation causes them to have some consequences (C) in the emotional and behavioral area.

The beliefs that occur in individuals (B) can be irrational or rational in nature. If these beliefs are irrational, they have a structure that is harmful to health, incompatible with reality, non-functional, and irrational. Although these beliefs are rational, they have a healthy and functional structure.

REBT tries to change the beliefs that cause individuals to be unhappy with cognitive, emotional and behavioral intervention techniques and struggles with dysfunctional thoughts that cause annoyance towards the individual. It can be said that the external world in which individuals live is very important in terms of theory in the formation of these beliefs.

These beliefs in individuals are learned from the family, from the attitudes and characteristics of their family members, from their friends, and the culture they belong to. In this context, clinicians fight the irrational beliefs of the client and help individuals cope with these beliefs. In this theory, it can be said that the main goal of therapies is to teach the client a more rational method of thinking rationally.

In REBT, it is assumed that there is no understanding that places the client at the center of the therapies and progresses in this context. By providing individuals with rational gains in their perspective on life, they help clients to think more and use active teaching techniques in this context by turning this into an advantage.

Even if this theory uses techniques such as building trust, counter-reaction, and emotional reflections in its structure at the beginning of the consultation process, it can be said that it has turned into a more active and instructive teaching process by the clinician and creates a teacher-student relationship with the client. Clinicians working with REBT have evaluated this theory not only in emotional disturbances but also in their approach to developing problem-solving skills, group work, guidance, and education.

Last Updated on December 11, 2022 by Lucas Berg

Share:

1 thought on “REBT – Rational Emotional Behavioral Therapy”

  1. Pingback: What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)? | Collaborative Communities

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *