Rational Emotive Behavior Groups – Flashcards

Idea that we have an emotional reaction after some event, but the event itself is not the main cause of this emotional reaction. Activating event belief emotional consequence (ABC) Our beliefs about events is what causes our emotions. Irrational beliefs must be Disputed through Detecting, Debating, and Discriminating (Cognitive restructuring) Detecting: irrational beliefs and seeing that they are illogical Debating: showing oneself that they are unsupported by evidence Discriminating: between irrational beliefs and rational thinking Effect of disputing: giving up self-destructive ideals, putting new ideals into practice, which leads to a greater acceptance of oneself, others, and daily life. Summary: Activating event beliefs consequences Disputing Effect Desired result: pp experience healthy negative emotions (disappointment/sadness) as opposed to depression.

This therapy was ultimately designed by Ellis to make psychotherapy shorter and more efficient, and therefore is intrinsically a brief therapy. The role of an REBT leader is active as they focus on disputing rigid and extreme ideas of individuals. They need to persuade clients to change or surrender their dysfunctional beliefs. In order to do so, they need to take a directive and confrontational approach. The "self-and other-downing beliefs" that are displayed by the clients need to be changed, and it needs to be done directly.

REBT uses a highly directive and confrontational approach. Members of a counseling group in which REBT is used face pressure from the group leader and the other members to change thinking even if the person himself does not believe he has faulty beliefs. Since REBT counselors often employ an active-directive-persuasive approach so clients may feel the forced to adopt goals and values that the counselor suggests instead of holding onto their own values and fitting the counselor's suggestions into their value framework.

The REBT group setting is useful for both exploring the self-defeating beliefs that we have taken on and provides a climate in which we can try new and constructive beliefs and behaviors. Other members can help people recognize such self-defeating beliefs and give scenarios in which they have experienced similar feelings. Members are encouraged to set goals for themselves and are encouraged by other group members. By working outside of group, members use group as a means to an ends REBT group counseling can also help effectively train group leaders. This occurs b/c REBT helps trainees learn how to identify and challenge their internal thoughts. This is important because work as a group leader will probably make you discover your dysfunctional beliefs that affect your personal life and how you lead group.

In REBT homework is the pathway to personal change and are often activity-orientated. Negotiated homework assignments are often used as opposed to the leader simply prescribing homework. Members and the group leader also clarify what they are going to do and how often it will be done. The PYA method is seen in the group setting. This is group members deliberately forcing themselves to confront difficult tasks until they learn how to cope with fearful situations. Group members can give input and suggestions on what has helped them in the past.

REBT group leaders promote clear thinking, engaging members in problem-solving, and minimize emotional distress. Two of the main goals are assisting the client in achieving unconditional self-acceptance (USA) and unconditional other acceptance (UOA). Counselor helps the group members differentiate between realistic and unrealistic goals and self-defeating and self-enhancing goals by teaching them to use the ABC (DE) method in and outside of group. Members are ultimately taught that they are responsible for their own emotional reactions. Replace rigid demands with flexible preferences.

Goal of leader: helps members internalize a rational philosophy of life. Show members how they have largely created their own emotional and behavioral disturbances. Use ABC to teach members how to stop the cycle of self-blaming and other-blaming process. Active in teaching the theoretical model, proposing methods of coping and teaching members strategies for testing ideas and solutions. Psychological educator. Encourage members to commit to practicing what they learn in group in their everyday life.

Unconditional acceptance: Group members usually fear participating in group because they fear rejection. Group leaders can be å model of accepting attitude. REBT unconditional acceptance allows members to feel personally accepted. Humor: Both cognitive and emotional benefits. When people are disrupted they tend to take themselves too seriously. Humor teaches members to laugh at their self defeating beliefs. Introducing it too soon or inappropriately can present problems. Rational-emotive imagery: Group members are asked to vividly imagine one of the worst things that might happen to them. They are then shown how to train themselves to develop healthy emotions. Work actively to implicitly exchange irrational beliefs for rational ones, thereby changing their behavior. Safe prelude to actually confronting one's fears in daily life. Shame-attacking: based on the idea that emotional disturbances related to self are often characterized by feelings of shame, guilt, anxiety, and depression. The more people face and deal with the irrational beliefs behind the feelings the less likely they are to remain emotionally disturbed. Encouraging risk-taking activities is a way to challenge fears of looking foolish. Teach members to accept themselves in spite of reactions from others. Clients learn that disapproval does not have to affect their worth or change them, nor does the fear of disapproval have to prevent them from doing things they consider right. By doing "shameful" things in front of the group members move towards unconditional self-acceptance.