Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)/ Reality Therapy – Flashcards

REBT posits that humans are fundamentally inclined toward growth, actualization, and rationality; yet, at the same time, humans experience opposing irrational and dysfunctional tendencies. Both these conflicting tendencies are considered to stem from biological, social, and psychological influences

become ingrained at an early age and manifest later in life; Ellis believed that humans are capable of changing these irrational thoughts by "attacking"the beliefs to reduce self-defeating, irrational thinking.

is to change the way people think, because thoughts (vs. events and emotions) cause emotional problems. The goals and process of REBT are often summarized using the ABC method:

A refers to the activating event or adversity;

B is the individual's beliefs about the event, which may be rational and helpful or irrational and maladaptive;

C refers to the emotional and behavioral consequences of those beliefs;

D refers to the responsibility of the counselor to dispute the irrational beliefs and assist the client to obtain more rational, adaptive belief;

E refers to when a client develops new behavioral and emotional consequences

REBT attempts to change the client's basic value system and the ultimate consequence is for the client to live a rational life, independent from the counselor

The most common is education. techniques include confrontation, disputing irrational beliefs, and bibliotherapy Affective and behavioral aspects are also addressed and may include techniques such as imagery, role-playing, homework assignments, and skills training

convey unconditional acceptance, a warm relationship is not considered necessary and certainly not sufficient for change. Similar to CBT, techniques are considered paramount for change. Counselors teach clients about REBT assumptions and the ways in which consequences of irrational beliefs impact functioning.

is based on the fundamental assumption that human beings strive to have their needs met including the need to survive, need to love and be loved, need to have power, need to have freedom, and need to have fun.

that people consistently seek to have their needs met in a world where it is not possible to have all their needs met completely. emotional difficulties occur when individuals meet their needs in socially inappropriate or destructive ways.

that people are presented with various choices and the ability to make choices that meets one's basic needs in adaptive and socially responsible ways determines their level of health

two important themes: (a) individual responsibility and (b) the inability to change other people to make them meet one's own personal needs.

are to assist clients in understanding their needs, making healthy choices that will meet their basic needs, and accepting responsibility for the choices made. Glasser believed that making choices requires that clients accept that they are the agent of change and have control over their life

include contracts and plans that assist clients in delineating specifically how they plan to make changes. Other techniques include pinning down and adopting positive-addicting behaviors. Pinning down refers to helping clients specify how and when they will execute a plan. Adopting positive-addicting behaviors involves adopting behaviors that are so critical to a person's life and leave a person feeling empty when they do not exist.

prayer, meditation, exercise, helping others, and volunteering that serve people in socially appropriate ways that contributes to a more meaningful life