Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy

Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy: Its History And Applications

Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy—or REBT—is a counseling approach that helps clients identify the negative beliefs and thought patterns that lead to counterproductive behaviors and difficult emotions. Operating from the premise that all of us want to thrive in life, REBT teaches us that unconditional self-acceptance is essential to maintaining wellness. 

While Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is generally more well-known than Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy, REBT was actually developed first. As a predecessor to CBT, REBT was founded by Albert Ellis in the 1950s and developed until his death in 2007. Due to its emphasis on self-regard and self-acceptance, REBT is responsible for modernizing therapy as we know it. And in fact, no individual—not even Freud himself—has had a more significant impact on the field of cognitive psychotherapy than Ellis. 

Over 50 years of research has been done into the effectiveness of Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy, and it’s considered an evidence-based, scientifically valid therapeutic approach for treating a wide range of issues. Because it provides a variety of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral strategies, REBT can be used to treat everything from common mental health conditions (like anxiety and depression) to substance abuse and relationship challenges. 

How Does Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy Work?

Emotionally healthy people understand that though they aren’t perfect and will continue to make mistakes throughout their lives, they are nevertheless worthy of love and acceptance. Seeing the value in simply being alive, these individuals can relish life and continually enjoy themselves.

Clients using Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy are able to learn and apply this premise by following the A-B-C-D-E-F model of psychological disturbance and change:

A – Adversity/Activating Event

B – Beliefs

C – Emotional Consequences

D – Disputations to Challenge Beliefs About Adversity

E – Effective New Rational Beliefs

F – New Feelings 

Conversations in Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy revolve around identifying the adversity, the self-beliefs created out of that adversity (which usually translate to fear and anxiety), and then challenging the irrational thoughts that result from the adversity. As the client fosters more self-acceptance and understanding, they can achieve optimal wellness and mental health. 

In addition, REBT implements three main categories of skills: problem-solving skills (assertiveness and social, decision-making, and conflict-resolution techniques); cognitive restructuring skills (reframing using guided imagery, humor and irony, exposure to fear, disputing irrational thoughts); and coping skills (relaxation, hypnosis, and meditation). 

With the insights and techniques clients gain in therapy using REBT, they can meaningfully address cognitive, behavioral, and emotional issues. 

How Is REBT Different From CBT?

Whereas Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on what clients do, Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy focuses on how clients think. Cognitive therapists believe that dysfunctional thinking leads to dysfunctional emotions and behaviors—by changing negative thought patterns, clients can change how they feel and what they do. 

Our Approach To REBT

At Wilmington Psychotherapy, we use REBT to help our clients heal from a wide range of issues, including (but not limited to):

  • Major and persistent depressive disorder

  • Anxiety disorders (including panic disorder and phobias)

  • PTSD

  • OCD

  • Addiction and substance abuse disorder

  • Feelings of guilt, anger, and rage

  • Eating disorders

  • Sleep problems

  • Personality disorders

  • General stress

  • Chronic pain or illness

  • Relational issues with family, parenting, and intimate relationships

We find that REBT encourages self-improvement and personal development skills so that our clients can reach goals and achieve desired qualities. For this reason, REBT can help people improve their work performance to be the most effective leaders and/or employees possible. 

All of our clinicians apply the Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy model to some degree, though we use other approaches as necessary. Alongside REBT, we are likely to use Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness, and hypnotherapy among others. 

Just as REBT teaches our clients unconditional positive self-regard, the clinicians at Wilmington Psychotherapy aim to treat you with respect, acceptance, and empowerment. You have the capacity to decide your own destiny and achieve your goals in life. And we are invested in helping you feel healthy and fulfilled—in mind, body, and spirit. 

Improve Your Self-Perception, Improve Your Life

Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) provides you with the skills and techniques needed to maintain self-acceptance and wellness. For more information about our approach to REBT or to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation with one of our therapists, call (910) 777–1189 or reach out via our contact form.

Recent Posts

Posts Coming Soon

Featured
Part 2: The Importance of Cultivating Emotional Intelligence
Part 2: The Importance of Cultivating Emotional Intelligence

We’ve touched on emotional intelligence in a previous blog, so you should have a pretty good idea of what it means to have EI and how to foster it. But why does it matter? Why is it so essential to cultivate emotional intelligence, especially in the workplace?

Part 2: How Does REBT Work?
Part 2: How Does REBT Work?

Previously, we covered the basics of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), including how it began and what it’s commonly used for

Part 1: What is REBT?
Part 1: What is REBT?

REBT stands for Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy. While it was first created in the 1950s, it still isn’t as widely known as other types of therapy meant to help us understand self-expression and adopt a life of happiness.