1. Mario De La Garza, M.Ed. University of North Texas
Theoretical Models of Counseling and Psychotherapy, 3rd Edition Chapter 10: Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
Mario De La Garza, M.Ed.
University of North Texas

2. Albert Ellis The oldest of three children
Struggled with serious kidney problems
Father was physically absent; Mother was emotionally absent
Figured out a way to survive on his own
Trained as a psychoanalyst, but found it’s passive approach incongruent with his views
Died in 2007

3. Development of Theory
Ellis found passive style of analysis to have little effect on belief system of clients.
Ellis formulated a personality change process using direct confrontation modeled after his experiments and experiences.
RT → RET → REBT

4. Philosophical Underpinnings
Epistemology – branch of philosophy studying the nature of knowledge and asking the question, “How do we know what we know?”
Knowledge based on individuals’ selective interpretations
How a person perceives events and people will affect how that person thinks/feels/behaves.
Epictetus: “Humans are disturbed not by things, but by the views they take of things.”

5. Philosophical Underpinnings
Relativism: no absolute truth or reality exists
Dialectics: the role of logical thought and human reason in the acquisition of knowledge
Consider all evidence before coming to a conclusion
Responsible hedonism: the creation of short- and long-term goals to maximize pleasure potential

6. Philosophical Underpinnings
Humanism: appreciating the individuality, creativity, and autonomy of a person
People have innate worth.
Dysfunction arises when this worth is not valued (self-criticism and comparing).

7. Function of the Psyche
Humans innately want to survive, feel pleasure, and attain self-actualization.
Humans are largely influenced by two innate tendencies:
The overwhelming tendency to think and behave irrationally
The tendency to think rationally and dispute irrational thoughts

8. Structure of the Psyche
Ellis’s ABC model: a universal processing system
Activating event or experience (A)
Beliefs about A (B)
Emotional/Behavioral /Cognitivre consequence (C)
Most people believe A causes C.
Actually, one’s beliefs (B) about A cause C.

9. Role of the Environment
Biology and the environment interact to create psychological disturbance.
Neither biology nor the environment is absolutely causative.
A person’s unique perception and experience will also influence psychological functioning.

10. Healthy Functioning Rational thinking = Healthy
Rational people exhibit:
Flexibility
A willingness to make mistakes and learn
The ability to base interpretations and conclusions on realistic data

11. Healthy Functioning You are free; define yourself.
Live in dialogue with your fellow human beings.
Your own experience is the highest authority.
Be fully present in the immediacy of the moment.
There is no truth except action.
You must learn to accept certain limits in life.

12. Unhealthy Functioning
Irrational thinking = Unhealthy
- Demands: Dogmatic beliefs about self, others, and the world, “I must be liked by others”.
- Awfulizing Beliefs: Rigid and intense consequences that flow from dogmatic demands, “I must be liked by others and if I am not, then I am a total failure”.
- Low frustration tolerance beliefs: Occur when people insist that life be less frustrating, “I must be liked by others and I can’t stand it when I am not”.

13. Unhealthy Functioning
- Depreciation beliefs: Flow from demands about self, others and the world and demean the whole based on one failure, “I must be liked by others and if I am not, then I am a complete loser”.

14. Client’s Role Acknowledge the problem
Identify and overcome secondary disturbance
Identify the irrational beliefs that underpin primary problem
Understand why the irrational beliefs are irrational
Understand why rational beliefs would be more realistic and have better outcomes

15. Client’s Role
6. Challenge irrational belief(s) and strengthen rational alternative.
7. Learn cognitive, emotional, and behavioral techniques to strengthen rational conviction.
8. Identify and overcome obstacles to change.
10. Keep working against tendency to think and act irrationally.

16. Counselor’s Role Provide unconditional acceptance.
Be active and directive in disputing irrational beliefs (of client and of self).
Have a good sense of humor.
Be willing to take risks.
Accept oneself as imperfect.
Be present-focused.

17. Stages Beginning Stage Middle Stage Ending Stage Build rapport.
Teach client basics of REBT.
Middle Stage
Client uses ABC model to dispute irrational beliefs.
Ending Stage
Resolution of presenting problems
Client demonstrates ability to continue to use REBT to dispute irrational beliefs and solve other problems.

18. Techniques Cognitive Techniques Emotive Techniques
Rational self-statements
Becoming an REBT teacher
Semantic precision
Emotive Techniques
Imagery
Humor
Shame-attacking exercises
Behavioral Techniques
Activity-oriented homework

19. Interface with Recent Developments in Mental Health
Nature/Nurture
Ellis posited an interactive role of biology and environment in determining psychological functioning
DSM 5 Diagnosis
Emphasis is not on diagnosis but on disputing irrational beliefs
Open to using it for business purposes (ie insurance)
Pharmacotherapy
REBT therapists support using medication as adjunct to psychotherapy.

20. Interface with Recent Developments in Mental Health
Managed Care and Brief Therapy
Well suited for brief therapy
Diagnosis not clinically relevant but pragmatically necessary in this age of managed care
REBT most helpful with single-issue clients
Technical Eclecticism
REBT practitioners can use a wide array of techniques from various schools of thought—as long as these techniques help people think more rationally.

21. Interface with Recent Developments in Mental Health
Diversity Issues
REBT supports flexibility in thinking and attitudes about self and others.
Gender role work
Ellis believed people are born bisexual and have the ability to enjoy sex with any partner.
Spirituality
Ellis’s view of religion as irrational changed over time.
Religious/spiritual philosophies and REBT have been found to have commonalities.
Effectiveness of psychotherapy
Research supports REBT as an effective mode of change.

22. Limitations
Because of some clients’ personalities or cultures, they dislike some aspects of the counselor’s role:
Little empathic focus on emotions
Confrontational and disputational
Can seem more argumentative than understanding/caring/supportive

23. Contributions
Refinement of Adler’s work into a more present-oriented and focused approach
ABC model
Ellis’s forceful personality

24. References
Fall, K. A., Holden, J. M., & Marquis, A. (2016). Theoretical models of counseling and psychotherapy (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Routledge.