1st Edition

Getting Started with REBT A Concise Guide for Clients

By Windy Dryden Copyright 2006
    136 Pages
    by Routledge

    136 Pages
    by Routledge

    What is Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy?

    Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) encourages direct focus on emotional problems, encouraging understanding of the thoughts, beliefs and behaviours that are responsible for maintaining these problems. REBT encourages a healthier outlook by teaching individuals to challenge their irrational thoughts.

    Getting Started with REBT provides a concise guide to assessing the suitability of REBT and using this method to address your emotional problems. The book is divided into two sections, beginning with an introduction to the theory and practice of REBT that will enable the reader to make an informed decision about whether this method is right for them. The second section guides the reader through issues that are relevant to all emotional problems, demonstrating how to:

    • Formulate emotional problems and set goals
    • Question irrational and rational beliefs
    • Strengthen conviction in rational beliefs

    Getting Started with REBT is suitable for use either alone or in conjunction with work with an REBT therapist. It will also be of interest to therapists and counsellors.

    Introduction. Part I: Preparing You to Give Informed Consent. Part I.I: The Theory of Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy. How REBT Makes Sense of Emotional Problems and the Healthy Alternatives to These Problems. The Situational ABC Model. Characteristics of Irrational Beliefs and Rational Beliefs. Demands versus Non-dogmatic Preferences. Awfulising Beliefs versus Anti-awfulising Beliefs. Low Frustration Tolerance (LFT) Beliefs versus High Frustration Tolerance (HFT) Beliefs. Depreciation Beliefs versus Acceptance Beliefs. Part I.II: The Practice of Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy. REBT is Problem-focused. REBT is Goal-directed. REBT is Structured and Logical in its Practice. REBT has an Educational Focus. REBT is Primarily Present-centred and Future-oriented. REBT has a Skills Emphasis. In REBT, the Therapist is Largely Active and Directive. The Process of REBT. It’s Decision Time. Part II: Dealing with Emotional Problems Using REBT. Part II.I: Formulate Problems and Set Goals. Formulate Your Emotional Problems. Set Goals. Part II.II: Assess Specific Examples of Your Emotional Problems. Describe the Situation. Identify Your Disturbed Reactions at “C”. Identify Your “A”. Identify Your Goals in the ABC. Identify Your Beliefs. Review and the Importance of Practising Your ABCs. Identify any Meta-emotional Problems. Part II.III: Question Your Irrational and Rational Beliefs. Question Your Demands and Non-dogmatic Preferences. Question Your Awfulising and Anti-awfulising Beliefs. Question Your Low Frustration Tolerance (LFT) and High Frustration Tolerance (HFT) Beliefs. Question Your Depreciation and Acceptance Beliefs. Variations on a Theme. The Importance of Practising Your Disputing Skills. Part II.IV: Strengthen Your Conviction in Your Rational Beliefs. Use the Attack-response Technique. Use Rational-Emotive Imagery. Teach Rational Beliefs to Others. Use Rational Self-statements. Rehearse Your Rational Beliefs While Acting and Thinking in Ways that are Consistent with these Beliefs. Part II.V: Other Issues. Reconsider “A”. Identify and Deal with Core Irrational Beliefs. A Final Note.

    Biography

    Windy Dryden is an REBT therapist and a Professor of Psychotherapeutic Studies at Goldsmiths College, London