REBT Therapy

What are some overview principles of REBT

Practical and symptom focused

Philosophically based

Patients change through identification of irrational thought processes

Patient behaviors and thought processes are evaluated and criticized when necessary

In REBT, people are not _____ by events, but by their _____ about events

disturbed, beliefs

Change requires _____, direct, and philosophical intervention

active

define the ABC method

To get to C (Consequence), there has to be a belief (B) from activation (A), and most of our emotions are tied to our reacting beliefs (B)

what does the A stand for in the ABC method

Activating Event

(An external or internal trigger (e.g., criticism, failure, rejection))

what does the B stand for in the ABC method

Beliefs (either rational or irrational)

what does the C stand for in the ABC method

Consequences — emotional or behavioral

Define Approval Belief

“It is a dire necessity for an adult to be loved or accepted by virtually everyone.”

Core distortion of approval belief

Approval addiction

Define perfectionism Belief

“One must be thoroughly competent, adequate, and achieving in all possible respects.”

Core distortion of perfectionism belief

Perfectionism

Define Blame Belief

“Certain people are bad, wicked, or villainous and should be severely blamed and punished.”

Core distortion of Blame Belief

Global other rating

Define Catastrophizing Belief

“It is awful and catastrophic when things are not the way one wants them to be.”

Core distortion of catastrophizing belief

Awfulizing

Define External Control Belief

“Human unhappiness is caused by external circumstances, and people have little or no ability to control their feelings.”

Core distortion of external control belief

External locus of emotional control

Define Worry Belief

“If something is or may be dangerous or fearsome, one should be terribly upset and continually dwell on it.”

Core distortion of worry belief

Anxiety reinforcement

Define Avoidance Belief

“It is easier to avoid life’s difficulties and responsibilities than to face them.”

Core distortion of Avoidance Belief

Avoidant coping

Define Dependency Belief

“One should be dependent on others and needs someone stronger than oneself to rely on.”

Core distortion of Dependency belief

Helplessness

Define Past Determinism Belief

“One’s past experiences and events are the determinants of present behavior and cannot be changed.”

Core distortion of past determinism belief

psychological determinism

Define Overconcern for Others Belief

“One should be extremely upset over other people’s problems and disturbances.”

Core distortion of Overconcern for others belief

Emotional overinvolvment

Define Perfect Solutions Belief

“There is invariably a right, precise, and perfect solution to human problems—and it is catastrophic if it is not found.”

Core distortion of perfect solutions belief

Need for certainty

People have the potential to be both _____ and irrational

rational

Ellis’ personality theory states… (2)

Humans largely create their own distress

[Need to condemn] Humans are born with a need to condemn themselves, others, and the world when they do not get what they supposedly need

what types of words are frequently bought up with irrational thoughts

Should

Ought

Awful

I want

examples of some irrational beliefs

• It is horrible when things are not the way we want them to be

• Human misery is externally caused

• We are at the mercy of our emotions

what are ways that individuals reduce pain

• Distraction — leads to less demands of others, individual becomes less anxious

• Magical solutions — Ellis didn’t have a good view of religion. He thought praying, for example, was a magical solution

• Giving up demandingness

• Satisfying needs

what four core REBT processes do Ellis’ 11 beliefs cluster into

·      Demandingness (“musts” and “shoulds”)

·      Awfulizing (“it’s terrible”)

·      Low Frustration Tolerance (“I can’t stand it”)

·      Global Evaluation of Worth (“I’m worthless”)

What is the PRIMARY goal of REBT

Replace maladaptive beliefs with flexible preferences, non-catastrophic thinking, and unconditional self-acceptance.

REBT distinguishes between

Healthy negative emotions (Sadness, concern, regret)

Unhealthy negative emotions (Depression, anxiety, rage, shame)

What are some goals of REBT

·      Reduce emotional disturbance

·      Replace irrational beliefs with rational ones

·      Help clients develop a life philosophy

name the three forms of acceptance in rebt

Unconditional Self

Unconditional Other

Unconditional Life

what is the role of the therapist in REBT

Active and directive

Didactic and confrontational (but not hostile)

Focused on teaching clients to think differently

the therapist ______beliefs, not emotions or events

disputes