Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy

1. Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy Topic 6

2. Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy * one of the first cognitive behavior therapies * basic assumption of REBT is that people contribute to their own psychological problems, as well as to specific symptoms, by the way they interpret events and situations * cognitions, emotions, and behaviors interact significantly and have a reciprocal  cause-and-effect relationship

3. View of Human Nature * Human beings are born with a potential for both rational, or "straight", thinking and irrational, or "crooked", thinking. * People have predispositions for self-preservation, happiness, thinking and verbalizing, loving, communion with others, and growth and self-actualization.

4. cont'd People have propensities for self-destruction, avoidance of thought, procrastination, endless repetition of mistakes, superstition, intolerance, perfectionism and self-blame, and avoidance of actualizing growth potentials.

5. View of Emotional Disturbance * We create irrational dogmas by ourselves. * Our own repetition of early-indoctrinated irrational thoughts keeps dysfunctional attitudes alive and operative within us. * Blame is at the core of most emotional disturbances. * We have strong tendencies to escalate our desires and preferences into dogmatic "shoulds", "musts", "oughts", demands and commands * ABC format

6. Therapeutic goals 1. To assist clients in the process of achieving unconditional self-acceptance (USA)  and unconditional other acceptance (UOA). 2. To let clients see how these two are interralated.

7. Therapist's function and role 1. Show clients how they have incorporated many irrational "shoulds", "oughts", and "musts". 2. Demonstrate how clients are keeping their emotional disturbances active by continuing to think illogically and unrealistically. 3. Help clients modify their thinking and minimize their irrational ideas. 4. Challenge clients to develop a rational philosophy of life so that in the future they can avoid becoming the victim of irrational beliefs.

8. Clients experience in therapy 1. Accept that their beliefs are the primary cause of their emotions and behaviors. 2. Participate actively in the cognitive restructuring process. 3. Clients learn to apply logical thought, participate in experiential exercises, and carry out behavioral homework as a way to bring about change.

9. cont'd 4. Clients are made to focus on the present disturbance. 5. Clients are expected to actively work outside the therapy sessions through homeworks. 6. Clients review their progress, make plans, and identify strategies for dealing with continuing or potential problems.

10. Relationship bet TH and CL *intense relationship bet. TH and CL is not a requirement * TH unconditionally accepts clients and also teach them to unconditonally accept others and themselves * Rapport is built by showing CLs that the TH has great faith in their ability to change themselves and that he has the tools to help them do this.

11. cont'd * THs are open and directin disclosing their own beliefs and values. * Transference is not encouraged, and when it occurs the TH is likely to confront it

12. Therapeutic Techniques and Procedures Cognitive methods: Dispputing irrational beliefs Doing cognitive homework Changing one's language Psychoeducational methods

13. cont'd Emotive techniques: Rational Emotive Imagery Using humor Role playing Shame-attacking exercises Use of force and vigor

14. cont'd Behavioral techniques: OPerant condiotning                                             self-management systematic desensitization                                             relaxation techniques modeling                                             behavioral homework