Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy is a cognitive-experiential-behavioral system of psychotherapy. Developed in 1955 as the first of the cognitive behavioral therapies, it has roots in Stoic philosophers such as Epicurus, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius. It is underpinned by the idea that “people do not merely get upset by adverse life conditions, but instead often choose to disturb themselves about these adversities” (Ellis, 2002). Ellis’ theory of REBT holds that people try to remain alive and achieve basic goals (G). Along the way they encounter adversities (A). They follow rational or irrational beliefs (B) which construct consequences (C) such as feelings or actions that either move them toward or away from their goals. Fundamentally, although adversities contribute to consequences they are mediated by beliefs. REBT holds that people have to consciously, forcefully, and actively dispute (D) the irrational beliefs that are causing their disturbances—this disputation can be cognitive, emotional, and behavioral. Read more
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Functional Analysis With Intervention Planning
This classic A-B-C functional analysis worksheet can be used to collect information about what came before a behavior (antecedents), the behavior itse ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/functional-analysis-with-intervention-planning/
Dysfunctional Thought Record
The Dysfunctional Thought Record is a worksheet to record and challenge dysfunctional thoughts. It encourages clients to identify the involvement of a ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/dysfunctional-thought-record/
Functional Analysis
Functional analysis examines the causes and consequences of behavior. This classic A-B-C Functional Analysis worksheet can be used to collect informat ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/functional-analysis/
Links to external resources
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Information (Professional)
- Emotional disturbance in a nutshell | Albert Ellis
- Structured disputing of irrational beliefs | Windy Dryden
- What is Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)? Outlining the approach by considering the four elements of its name | Windy Dryden
Presentations
- The Empirical Status of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) Theory & Practice | Daniel David | 2014
Treatment Guide
- First steps in using REBT in life coaching – Windy Dryden | Dryden, W. | 2011
- REBT Depression Manual: Managing Depression Using Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) | David, Kangas, Schnur, Montgomery | 2004
Video
- Albert Ellis and Gloria – full counselling session youtube
- 21 Ways To Stop Worrying | Albert Ellis | 1991
- Substituting rational thinking for irrational thoughts – Albert Ellis youtube
- Substituting Rational Thinking For Irrational Thoughts | Albert Ellis | 1984
Websites
- REBT Network
Recommended Reading
- A brief introduction to Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) | Wayne Froggatt | 2005
- David, D. (2014). The Empirical Status of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) Theory & Practice. Therapy, 3, 175-221
- Dryden, W. (2013). On rational beliefs in rational emotive behavior therapy: A theoretical perspective. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 31(1), 39-48
- Ellis, A. (1980). Rational-emotive therapy and cognitive behavior therapy: Similarities and differences. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 4(4), 325-340
What Is Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy?
Assumptions of REBT
- Most people consciously and unconsciously train themselves to be to some degree emotionally disturbed.
- People’s self-defeating cognitions, emotions, and behaviors are intrinsically and holistically connected.
- If they choose to do so, and work hard at modifying their thinking, feeling, and behaving, they can teach themselves to lead more satisfying lives.
- Many irrational beliefs with which people disturb themselves can be categorized under three major headings which include absolutistic shoulds, oughts, and musts. These imperatives, from which other beliefs can be derived, are:
- ‘I absolutely must perform well at important tasks and be approved by significant others—or else I am an inadequate person!’
- ‘Other people must absolutely treat me kindly, considerately, and fairly—or else they are bad individuals!’
- ‘Conditions under which I live absolutely must provide me with what I really want—or else my life is horrible, I can’t stand it, and the world’s a rotten place!’
References
- Ellis, A. (2002). Rational emotive behavior therapy. In M. Hersen & W. H. Sledge (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Psychotherapy, Volume 2 (pp. 483–487). Amsterdam, Netherlands: Academic Press.