Managerial Counseling

Rational Emotive Therapy- Part ii

Structure of the Presentation

1. Recap

2. Practical Techniques

3. Case Discussion/ Video

4. Role Play

Recap• In 1955, Albert Ellis introduced Rational Emotive

Psychotherapy

• Salient Points/ Assumptions:

-People are not inherently good or evil

-All emotional problems caused by our own-

1. Irrational belief systems (faulty thinking)

2. Exaggerated reactions (anxiety, etc)

to events

- Human Beings are prone to self-doubt and negative self-talk. eg. I am worthless, I am good-for-nothing, I am sucha fool

PRACTICAL TECHNIQUES OF RET

• Principal Aim of the Therapy ->

– Help clients to identify and change (eradicate) their “irrational patterns of thinking”

– Show them how these dysfunctional patterns can lead to emotional disturbances & counter-productive behavior

• In RET, there is less stress on empathy. The counsellor’s abilityto remain detached, though understanding is preferable

• The Counselor is expected to be Persuasive, directive &challenging – promote client’s self-awareness, help to achieveintellectual & emotional insight

Points to Note for the RET Counselor:

How to go about using RET

• Establish relationship

• Try to remain detached (understanding is preferable) to avoid being enmeshed in her irrational thinking

• Observe and analyze all her irrational beliefs

• Be logical & direct in approach- use persuasion, didactic, teaching & debate

• Use of informality & humor- make her less rigid in thinking

What not do to as the RET counselor

• Avoid showing too much of warmth

• Avoid looking at her past relationships

• Don’t be rigid (Vary your style according to different needs of different clients)

Technique 1: Counseling using the A-B-C Model

A- Activating Event - Occurrence due to which the person becomes upset

E.g. X was informed that Y will be given his b’day gift at 12 am. However, when the time came, X was not present. He came after some time and blamed the group of not calling him inspite of her staying in the same wing. He became very upset and started crying

B- Belief System (Thinking- Cause)Irrational Beliefs 1. People should always like me2. People should always take me along with them3. If they don’t like me and approve me, it’s awful,

dreadful and I can’t bear it4. They did not want me and therefore did not call me(Rational Beliefs

e.g. “It’s unfortunate that the group forgot to call me”)

C- Consequences

Irrational

E.g. Disabled by irrational beliefs, suffers from uncontrollable anger, depression, dejection

Rational

E.g. Feels unfortunate to have not been reminded, analyzes why he was not reminded and plans to alter his approach (make himself available when informed)

The emotional and behavioral consequences do not stem primarily from the activating events (A) of our lives, but from

our belief systems (B)

Technique 1: Counseling using the A-B-C Model (Contd..)

Technique 2: Homework• Clients are given homework

assignments to complete (eg. Writing diary, critical thinking and questioning)

• Bibliotherapy- Selection of Self-help books

• Task or activity (shop assistant)

• Aim -> challenge & correct irrational beliefs and replace them with more realistic & less disturbing language or self-talk

• Points to keep in mind:

– Make the client understand the purpose of homework

– Client should be clear about targets

– Make sure that clients complete the assignments

– Adequately plan and discuss- how to do it (record, tape, etc.)

– Discuss and give positive reinforcements for success & achievement

Technique 2: Homework (contd..)

Technique 3: Humor

• Can be used to show the Client how ludicrous & amusing their irrational beliefs really are

• Caution:

– Always use humor with the client & never against him

– Judge accurately its appropriateness or otherwisewith individual clients

Technique 4: Imagery

• Help to imagine various situations & observe how they choose to respond

• Project themselves into future – test the validity of their fears about events which might occur later on

Technique 5: Role Play• Use when clients are disturbed or

apprehensive about a particularsituation. (eg. Job interview)

• Allow him to confront his negativefeelings and the beliefs underlying his feelings

• Move on & the explore more positive ways of responding, in particular, more realistic beliefsabout the interview

Technique 6: Group-work• RET can be used in group setting- groups

of 12-14

• Advantages-

– Efficient & Economical- more people are present to receive therapy

– Learn the method & skills for successful group interaction- All are taught about RET -they can assume the role of the therapist (under the guidance of the group leader)

– Learn from hearing other people talk about their problems

– Additional reinforcement to the individual counselees

Thank You