Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)

An action-oriented approach geared towards positive change.

REBT, or Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, is both a psychotherapeutic technique and school of thought established by Albert Ellis. REBT is a practical, action-oriented approach to coping with problems and enhancing personal growth. It places a good deal of its focus on the present: on currently-held attitudes, painful emotions and maladaptive behaviors that can sabotage a fuller experience of life.

The active techniques used in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) will enable you to identify not only the ideas and thought patterns that generate your emotions, but also the values and beliefs that influence their appearance and evolution.

From ideas and emotions come attitudes, conditioned responses, behavioral patterns, habits and... addiction. REBT enables you to eliminate the negative impact of your behavior by going straight to the source of that behavior. By confronting, disputing and modifying your thoughts and perceptions, you effectively change the way you live life.

Fundamentals of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy

One might say that the entire REBT approach is based on the premise that an emotion is no more, and no less, than a reaction to an idea or an opinion. For any given event or situation, you have a specific point of view, perception or belief that dictates the emotions and sentiments you associate to that particular event.

If we accept that every human being is a unique individual, we must also accept that their points of view pertaining to a situation are just as unique. We can therefore conclude that no two individuals will react in exactly the same manner in that situation. To illustrate, let us look at a classic example: a divorce.

While madame is distraught and suffers from anxiety and the occasional panic attack, monsieur is gleeful and doesn't hesitate to share his excitement. Here we have one situation in which two individuals experience entirely different "sets" of emotions. Madame experiences multiple fears; monsieur feels only happy anticipation. Why?

Madame, at 50 years old, has lived her entire married life submissively catering to the whims of monsieur and has virtually no job experience nor training in any field. She is fearful of entering the job market and believes herself to be virtually incapable of accommodating her own needs. Her perception of the situation is influenced by her multiple fears and she foresees only degradation and deprivation.

Monsieur, on the other hand, is relieved at finally being freed from 25 years of madame's nagging and whining. In great shape at 53, he envisions himself on an oceanside jog while tailing a pair of California beach bunnies clad only in g-strings. His perception of the same situation is influenced by the release of years of pent-up frustration of his libido and he foresees only intoxication and fornication.

This fundamental precept - idea = emotion - is characteristic of every action-oriented technique associated with Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy.

The ideas that can cause you the most harm are all variations of three common irrational beliefs, identified in REBT as The Three Musts:

• I must do well and win the approval of others for my performances or else I am no good.
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• Other people must treat me considerately, fairly and kindly, and in exactly the way I want them to treat me. If they don't, they are no good and they deserve to be condemned and punished.
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• I must get what I want, when I want it; and I must not get what I don't want. It's terrible if I don't get what I want; I can't stand it.

The goal of REBT is to help you change your irrational beliefs into rational ones. The use of disputing techniques to identify your unhealthy negative emotions & self-defeating behavior results in less demanding, more flexible beliefs. This leads to healthier emotions and more helpful behaviors.

To learn more about REBT, visit the REBT Network. While you're there, be sure to check out the REBT Self-Help Form. You might be in for a surprise. (Don't forget to come back here though!)

REBT in the Classroom?

There is a growing movement towards integrating Rational Emotive Education techniques in the classroom. A prime educational goal is to help students to use their resources to meet the challenges and changes that they will inevitably face through their school years and lives. Rational Emotive Education (REE) supports that goal.

Dr. William Knaus from the American International College at Springfield, Massachusetts has developed a complete program for teachers and educators available as a free .pdf ebook from the REBT Network.

Here's an excerpt from Dr. Knaus' article on his program:

Here's a comment from Albert Ellis, the founder of the Rational Emotive approach:

How REBT influenced the development of the tools & strategies on this site

In developing the tools & strategies you will find in these pages, I considered it essential that they deliver results. As an action-oriented approach geared towards positive change, REBT is ideal to achieve that goal.

My personal experience and training in this approach has convinced me of its long-term benefits. As a qualified addiction interventionist employed by a certified Montréal rehab center, I work daily with individuals and groups in addiction recovery. The positive changes to which I am regularly witness by those who apply REBT techniques in their rehabilitation is nothing less than extraordinary.

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Moreover, my own recovery from addiction was made possible through a 9-month-long program of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy. Using techniques associated with REBT in my day-to-day life ever since has enabled me to create and share a fuller, more loving life for myself.

Been there, done that... and yes, I've got the t-shirt! Got yours?

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