Rational Emotive BehaviorTherapy (REBT)

Noemi Legaspi-Valverde

Albert EllisBorn September 27, 1913REBT was founded in the

1950’sBelieved the role of the

therapist was to help clients understand that one’s personal philosophy contains beliefs that lead to emotional pain.

Stressed changing self defeating beliefs by demonstrating their irrationality.

Today, REBT is a major cognitive behavioral approach.

Key Concepts-Assumptions of REBTThinking, feeling, and behaving continually interact with and

influence one an another (Corey, p377).Emotional disturbances are caused by biological and

environmental factors.We are influenced by people and the things around us.

And we also affect those around us.Create irrational beliefs about events.

Emotional distress arises from our irrational beliefs from childhood.Irrational beliefs can be modified by using cognitive, emotive,

and behavioral methods.In order for change to occur, we need to:

Take responsibility for our irrational thoughts.Look at how we feel, think, and behave.Do the hard work to change

Key Concept-Emotional DisturbanceThe “shoulds”, “oughts”, and “musts” play a role in

dysfunctional beliefs. Three forms of “musturbation”

“I absolutely must do well and be approved of by significant others. I must win their approval or else I am inadequate, worthless person.”

“You must under all conditions and at all times treat me considerately, kindly, lovingly, and fairly. If you don’t, you are no damned good and are a rotten person.”

“Conditions under which I live absolutely must be comfortable so that I can get what I want without too much effort. If not, it is awful; I can’t stand it and can’t have any real happiness at all!”

Key Concepts-The ABC TheoryA=activating event (what happened; can be

an event or image)B= belief(s) about the eventC= consequence (emotional response)Example: You find out you didn’t get a

promotion at work.A=not getting the promotionB=you are a failureC=feel rejected and hurt

Key Concepts-Confronting Irrational Beliefs Teaching member’s the ABC

theory.When members can see how

their irrational beliefs are linked to their emotional disturbance, they can dispute (D) their beliefs.

Process of Disputation of irrational beliefs Detecting Debating Discriminating

Ultimate result is to reduce feelings of depression and rejection. Effect of Disputing (E)

Key Concepts-Self Rating and Learning Self-AcceptanceRating our acts and

behaviors vs. rating ourselves as a person.

Example: “If I fail at something, I’m a failure in life”

The opposite of self rating is self-acceptance.

Goals of REBT GroupHelp participants’ through process of

achieving unconditional self-acceptance (USA) and unconditional other acceptance (UOA).

Help participants’ differentiate between realistic and unrealistic and self-defeating and self-enhancing goals (Corey, 2008).

Change dysfunctional emotions into healthy ones.

Role of the Group LeaderServe as teachers and mentorsDemonstrate respectEncourage and supportSelf-disclose when beneficial for participants. Develop trustUse cognitive and emotive techniques.

encourage participants to discover irrational beliefsMake connection of how the irrational beliefs lead to

emotional distressChallenge clients to modify their irrational beliefsDispute irrational beliefs and replace with rational beliefs

Therapeutic Techniques and ProceduresPurpose is to change clients’ way of thinking,

feeling, and acting. Doesn’t look into individual’s early history. There is a focus on the here and now.

“Focus on specific techniques for changing a client’s self-defeating thoughts in concrete situations. In addition to modifying beliefs, this approach helps group members see how their beliefs influence what they feel and what they do; thus there is also a concern for changing feelings and behaviors that flow from dysfunctional thinking pattern” (Corey, 2008, p 382).

Cognitive Methods Teaching the A-B-C’s Active Disputation of

Faulty BeliefsTeaching Coping

Self-Statements Psychoeducational

MethodsCognitive Homework

Applying the ABC’s in every day life.

Emotive Methods Unconditional acceptanceRational emotive imagery

Imagine the worst thing that can happen.

Use of humorShame-attacking exercises

Take the risk to do something they are afraid to do because of what others might think. Then they realize their shame is created by them.

Role playing

Behavioral Methods Homework

assignmentsReinforcement and

penaltiesSkills training

Advantages of REBT Applied to Group WorkHomework assignments

in a group context vs. one-to-one therapy.

Offers several procedures

Homework report formsSharing personal

problemsListening to other’s

problems

REBT to Group Work in SchoolsApplied to students, K-12. The goal is to prevent

emotional and behavioral problems.

Prevent intervention for those who exaggerate negative events.

The purpose is to help in dealing with students’ interpersonal relationships and home environment.

Applying REBT with Multicultural Populations“When members are not

challenged too quickly, they can be invited to examine the premises on which they behave” (Corey, 2008,p 391).

The focuses on the problems of living.

A group must be careful when challenging clients about their beliefs and behaviors.

Evaluation of REBT in GroupsStrengths

Many disorders can be addressed

Explore self-defeating beliefs and replacing with more rational ones.

Group leaders can learn to identify their internal dialogue.

Help members deal with everyday living.

Limitations of REBT in GroupsGroup leader

imposing his/her values on members.

Members may feel pressured to accept goals and values of the group leader.

Members may depend on group leader about what constitutes reality.

ReferencesCorey, G. (2008). Theory and Practice of Group Counseling.

Belmont, California: Brooke/Cole.