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Am I the Problem? An Insight into REBT

Suyash Tiwari

Psychological distress is often caused by irrational views, feelings, and belief. Notions of ‘I must’, ‘I should’ or ‘I cannot’ contribute towards an upsurge of irrational beliefs. Moreover, it becomes problematic when individuals develop irrational views about the world and themselves. Furthermore, disturbing notions and beliefs lead to the formation of a vicious cycle, where humans keep themselves disturbed about disturbances that stem from their irrational beliefs. Albert Ellis, a psychologist, established a type of cognitive-behavioural therapy known as rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT). This therapy focuses on assisting patients with changing and eventually eradicating their irrational beliefs. In this post, I intend to expound upon the inception of rational emotive behaviour therapy, what it entails, the role of the counsellor and its limitations.
Ellis was dissatisfied with the results offered by the conservative psychoanalytic approach to therapy. He realised that awareness of the problem does not necessarily translate to a change of behaviour in the patient. He based his rational-emotive therapy on the basic assumption that human beings are both “inherently rational and irrational, sensible and crazy” (Weinrach, 1980). Ellis & Dryden (1989) concluded that human beings possess inborn ability toward growth and actualization, but are controlled by their irrational thinking, built on their faulty belief systems and instigated by emotional disturbances to themselves.
REBT is a systematic method to replace self-defeating behaviour with effective rational philosophy. The aim of the therapy is to provide the patient with a new set of notions and feelings that are not irrational or distress inducing. The therapy is carried out in five distinctive steps, known as the ‘ABCDEs of REBT’. For better understanding, an example would be beneficial. E.g.- A Susan was married to a businessman. After a few months of marriage, the husband divorced her and got married to another woman. REBT will compartmentalise the event in three steps, A- activating event, B-beliefs and C-consequences. The entire scenario would be an activating event for Susan. She might think that her life is over after the divorce and that would be an irrational belief. The consequence would be any psychological abnormality, depression, substance abuse, etc. After ABC is recognised, D- disputing must be carried out. Here, the therapist/counsellor helps the patient challenge his/her irrational beliefs.
Finally, the patient adopts an effective rational philosophy to replace the old self-defeating behaviour. The aim of this process is to help patients be aware of the fact that they can live rational and fulfilling lives, and equip them with a more realistic approach of the world (Eremie & Ubulom, 2016).
A combination of several techniques is utilized by rational emotive therapists to battle self-defeating behaviour of patients. Often, these techniques are directive, confrontational and philosophical (Eremie & Ubulom, 2016). The counsellor, in using cognitive disputation, engages clients by asking direct questions, logical reasoning, and persuasion. He or she uses phrases such as, “why must you? And why must that be? (Eremie & Ubulom, 2016). The relevance of this exercise is to make the patient understand that he/she has formed several irrational ‘should’ and ‘ought’, essentially straining oneself with unnecessary compulsions. Counsellors show clients how self-defeating thoughts, if not changed, could lead to emotional and behavioural disturbances, (Eremie & Ubulom, 2016).
REBT has so far been an efficient cognitive-behavioural therapy in helping patients realise, and eventually, change their irrational beliefs. However, REBT has certain limitations that cannot be negated. During counselling, early childhood history is often ignored. Counsellors do not encourage clients to narrate “Long tales of woes” (Corey, 1991). Ellis states that warmth or liking for the client, or even caring, is unnecessary for a counsellor-patient relationship (Ellis, 1979). Being direct, an essential part of REBT, can sometimes cause psychological harm to the patient. Therefore; while REBT is effective in treating phobias and anxiety, severe disorders like schizophrenia cannot be treated using REBT.

References

Cherry, K. (2018, November 26). How Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy Works. Retrieved March 16, 2019, from https://www.verywellmind.com/rational-emotive-behavior-therapy-2796000
Corey, G. (1991). Theory and practice of counselling and psychotherapy. California: Brooks/Cole publishing company.
Ellis, A. & Dryden, W. (1989). The practice of rational-emotive therapy. NJ: Lyle Stuart.
Ellis, A. (1979). Rational Emotive Therapy. In Ellis, A. & J.M. Whiteley (eds.), Theoretical and empirical foundations of rational-emotive therapy. CA: Brooks/Cole.
Eremie, M. D., & Ubulom, W. J. (2016). Review of Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) in Counselling. International Journal of Innovative Social and Science Education Research, 4(2), 43-46.
Weinrach, S.G. (1980). Unconventional therapist: Albert Ellis. Personnel and Guidance Journal, 59, 152-160.

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