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REBT Notes
REBT Notes
Ellis credits Epictetus: “People are disturbed not by things but by the views they take of
them.” 10
When people are confronted with Adversity (A), it is largely their Beliefs (B),
specifically irrational beliefs, that lead to disturbed Consequences (C). 10
“Rational” means “that which helps people to achieve their basic goals and purposes.”
Irrational beliefs are those that interfere with goals. 19
“[R]ational also means helping the group to survive and to achieve its basic goals . . ..”
19 (REBT recognizes the importance of belonging to a social group.)
Cognition, emotion, and behavior are intrinsically integrated and holistic, (3) and when
people disturb themselves, their cognitions, emotions, and behaviors interactionally make
them upset. 26
People have a natural ability to change themselves, but REBT “actively-directively tries
to help them do so in collaboration with an involved therapist.” 16
“REBT integrates some aspects of many therapeutic theories, and eclectically uses
specific techniques from many sources . . ..” 6
Almost all feelings are natural, (20) but some are healthier than others. “Healthy
negative feelings tend to produce self-helping and community-helping actions.” 21
REBT encourages striving toward success but not converting the striving to “absolutistic
demands.” 21
“[P]eople innately and by social teaching develop into rational and irrational thinkers.”
22
REBT is about helping people get better, not just to feel better. 38
Assessment starts with identifying consequences, then identifying adversities, and then
identifying irrational beliefs.
Before beginning interventions, make sure clients understand the ABC model and they
understand that they are primarily responsible for their own reactions to life events. 58
Disputing irrational beliefs is the primary method of REBT. There are different kinds of
disputations:
1. reinforcements
2. penalties
3. shame-attacking exercises
4. skill training
5. paradoxical homework
6. relapse prevention
7. in vivo desensitization
8. staying in difficult situations
9. acting on rational beliefs