Chapter 6 – part 8 REBT

Albert Ellis - Brief Biography

◦Born 1913…Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania
◦Initially trained as a psychoanalyst
◦ Began developing RT (Rational
Therapy-now called REBT) around
1955 because he was dissatisfied,
he thought it was too inefficient.
◦Has published hundreds of books
and articles.
◦Founded Albert Ellis Institute in
NYC and now there are institutes
around US and world.
Rational-Emotive Behavioural Therapy (REBT)

REBT is a philosophically-based, humanistic approach that

emphasizes individuals’ capacity for creating their own self-
enhancing and self-defeating emotions.

Ellis said, “People are not influenced by things but their view
of things.”

REBT holds that an individual’s belief system affects whether

s/he attains maximum pleasure and self-actualization.
REBT

ABC Model

A =activating event (actual event, thought or image)

B =belief(s) about the event

C =emotional and/or behavioural consequence

ABC Model is used to help people understand the B-C connection

and suggests that people are influenced by what they tell
themselves. An ABC form is typically used. People initially only see
the A-C connection (John made me angry… I am depressed because
I didn’t get my raise)
Other Important REBT Ideas

Ellis thinks people are born with the potential to think rationally
and irrationally.

Emotional disturbance comes largely from irrational thinking

(elevating our desires to demands).

The REBT therapist helps clients to develop a more “rational,” non-

demanding philosophy and thinking style.

REBT theory holds that if a person can think more rationally

(especially in the face of negative events), s/he will suffer less
emotional disturbance and act in less self- defeating ways.
Rationality is the key to achieving goals.
Three Core Demands (Musts) That Contribute to Making
People Miserable:

◦Self-Demands- I must do well and/or be approved of by

significant others.

◦Other Demands- I must be treated fairly by others…Others

are damnable if they don’t treat me fairly.

◦Demands of the World/Life Conditions- Life conditions must

be absolutely the way I want them to be. When your beliefs
are irrational, you also tend toward irrational conclusions.
Four Irrational Beliefs:

◦Demands

◦Awfulizing Beliefs

◦Frustration Intolerance beliefs

◦Self-depreciation / other depreciation/life

depreciation beliefs
Techniques Used by Therapist to Reduce or Eliminate
Irrational Thinking
Active disputation –asking questions like:

Why is ______________ so terrible or awful?

Where is it written that you can’t stand the situation?

Is there another way you can think about this?

What is preventing you from doing so?

Why must you have it this way?

What is the worst that can happen if you give up this belief?

What is the best that can happen?

Techniques Used by Therapist to Reduce
or Eliminate Irrational Thinking

Homework: REBT clients are asked to do

homework assignments like ABC sheets etc

Emotive Techniques: such as role playing,

shame attacking exercises.

Behavioural Techniques: use relaxation

protocols, and self-monitoring etc.
 Example
I
You waved to a friend when they passed by

But they did not waved back.

 Example I
Now, you can either think that:

A. They have a lot on their mind

B. They are mean
 Example
I
Now, you can either think that:

A. They have a lot on their mind

(Feeling): You feel sympathetic towards the friend
(Action): You shrug it off & get on with things

B. They are mean

(Feeling): You may be annoyed, angry or hurt
(Action): You may not greet the friend again,
andstay irritated the whole day
 Example
II
First time presentations by two boys

Boy 1 Boy 2

Same audience
Both well prepared

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 Example
Boy 1 Boy 2

Activating Events
(Audience)

16
Exampl
e

17
Exampl
e

18
 “
So, if I’m the one that has
upset myself; then I can be
the one that cures myself.

All I have to do is change

my THOUGTHS.
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 “
Helping people
who needlessly
suffer as victims
to no longer
suffer by
changing their
thoughts about
what happen to 20
 them.

REBT
Is focused on living a rational life while discovering and
breaking down the irrational beliefs that hold us back
and keep us trapped.

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