Albert Ellis’ REBT: Rational Emotional Behavior Therapy

REBT stands for Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, and was developed by Albert Ellis according to the principles of cognitive psychology. Due to the ineffectiveness of behavioral therapy (based on stimulus response) to improve certain mental disorders, researchers began using REBT and the results were improved. Thus, rational emotive behavior therapy is an example of groundbreaking techniques that showed promising effects in disorders such as anxiety and depression.

This therapy is based on the ABC model of cognitive psychology proposed by Albert Ellis. It suggests that triggering events (A) do not in themselves provoke emotional, cognitive or behavioral consequences (C). These will depend on how the event is perceived or interpreted (B). In short, A (events) provokes B (interpretations), and these provoke C (consequences / behaviors).

The psychological pillars of rational emotive behavior therapy

The ultimate goal of REBT is to eliminate or modify C. At first glance , C can be changed by changing the events (A) as well as the interpretation (B). But of course, the events can often not be changed. Therefore, in this type of therapy, the psychologist focuses on trying to change the interpretation the patient makes. In turn, these interpretations lead the patient to behaviors we focus on modifying.

The origin of disorders

Albert Ellis found after much research that all (or at least most of us) develop irrational thoughts that make reality seem extremely negative. He found over 200 thoughts or beliefs that promoted this negative view of the world, beliefs that lead to anxiety or depression. We currently group these irrational beliefs into 4 types:

• Demand: “If my boyfriend loved me, he would have given me a gift”
• Terrifying: “If I do badly in tomorrow’s interview, it’s the end of my professional career. I simply want to die! ”
• Low Frustration Tolerance (LFT): “I’m afraid to go to the party because everyone will probably reject me. It’s too difficult, and I can not cope. “
• Depreciation: “I weld my lunch. I’m useless. I rotate everything. ”

These types of beliefs are considered irrational because they are false, illogical, extreme or too demanding. Ellis confirms that they stem from absolutist beliefs based on “should” or “will” that abound in our inner dialogues.

Maintenance of disorders

The thought patterns mentioned above provoke negative emotional or behavioral consequences, but… what sustains them ? According to rational emotive behavior therapy , there are three types of insights or ideas that help diseases to last over time:

• Insight No. 1: The disturbance is determined by irrational interpretations that come from negative events. However, if the person believes that the emotional disorder is due to the event itself instead of its interpretation, they will try to change the situation. The real problem is their irrational beliefs.
• Insight # 2: If people continue to affirm their rigid and extremist beliefs, these thoughts will resist change. Therefore, the suffering will continue.
• Insight No. 3: A way of thinking focused on the past will provoke a stagnation of events and the individual’s irrational beliefs. Only by working with the present and the future will you be able to change your beliefs. And with them, your discomfort.

The properties of REBT

To talk about rational emotive behavior therapy, we need to look at it from two perspectives. The first is therapeutic approach, which will refer to strategies and methods. The second is the relationship that develops with the patient, the way the therapist interacts with them.

The therapist’s attitude will have the following characteristics:

• Active and directive: It is important that the therapist takes an active attitude and offers the patient alternatives to their irrational beliefs.
• Verbal active: It is important that the dialogue is fluid and active on both sides since this therapy is based on discussion and debate.
• Didactic: The therapist must behave like a good teacher, and teach the student to create a change in himself.
• Promoting changes in the patient’s philosophy of life: It is important to promote change in the way the patient thinks, in their philosophy of life.

• Do not encourage catharsis: Although it may alleviate the discomfort in the beginning, the intentional expression of emotions that are derived from certain beliefs may actually strengthen those beliefs.
• Be flexible: Each patient is a snowflake, with its own unique way of thinking. If the therapist is not flexible and does not know how to adapt, they will not be able to generate change in the patients.

Therapist-patient relationship

On the other hand , the relationship between the patient and the therapist will be based on the following principles:

• Unconditional acceptance : There should be no judgment, positive or negative, of the patient. The therapist must show his patients that they are accepted just like everyone else. That they are human, fallible, not useless or worthless. No single behavior can define a human being.

• Empathy: Understanding the patient’s thought process is an important part of understanding the nature of their beliefs. Therapists should understand each patient’s life philosophy to help them change.
• Be genuine: The therapist must be open and accessible. They can even talk about their own personal lives when it seems appropriate to show the patient that we are all going through setbacks and making mistakes. Personal experience does not help much in offering solutions, but it does help to normalize certain emotions.
• Having a sense of humor: This is one of the most important aspects of rational emotional behavior therapy, since it is a therapy based on restlessness and calmness. The therapist must use humor to highlight aspects of irrational beliefs. Of course without disrespect for the patient. In this context, the therapist must remember that each patient’s sensitivity is different.

• Informal therapeutic style: REBT works better in a relaxed environment, completely different from the usual formalities in therapy. The patient should see the treatment as a friendly and fun conversation, a time where they can talk about their concerns and beliefs in a relaxed way.

Ellis’ heritage…

REBT is an interesting and usually satisfactory treatment for patients. It helps them change their philosophy of life and adopt a more protective style when faced with problems that cause anxiety or depression. It also has good scientific evidence to support it. This therapy made Albert Ellis one of the most important figures in clinical psychology.