Precursors of REBT
- Greek and Roman stoic philosophers: “People are not disturbed by things, but the view in which they take them”
- Adler came up with the S-O-R theory (stimulus-organism-response)
- We determine ourselves by the meanings we give to situations
History of Albert Ellis
- Claimed that client-centered/psychoanalytic therapies don’t help solve problems and are too passive (used to be a client-centered therapist)
- People make dysfunctional, irrational demands that set them up for distress
Describe the theory of personality for REBT.
- Biopsychosocial approach
- ABC’s
- Reindoctrination
- We are born with the potential to be rational or irrational
- Irrational thinking is exacerbated by culture and social groups
- We create our own distress
- Our emotions, perceptions, and behaviors relate to the way we think
Physiological element of the theory of personality
- All humans are born with tendencies to want things
- When we don’t immediately get these things, our immediate reaction is to condemn ourselves and others
Social element of the theory of personality
- We place too much emphasis on what other people think of us + approval
- Some only accept themselves when others accept them
Psychological element of the theory of personality
- People needlessly upset themselves with irrational beliefs, extremeness, and absolutes (musturbation)
- Irrational demands, by definition, will not be met
ABC’s of the theory of personality
- A: activating event (what happened)
- B: belief (how you define the event)
- C: consequence (how you feel after the event)
Reindoctrination
- Repeating the ABCs
- Constantly condemning yourself
Describe the therapeutic relationship in REBT.
- Active: therapist talks a lot
- Directive: therapist teaches skills and leads activities
- Confrontational
3 components of unconditional acceptance
- Must accept the self (imperfections)
- Must accept others (imperfections)
- Must accept life (the ups and downs)
Difference between a “want” and a “demand.”
- Want: desire that you are ok with not getting
- Demand: facing distress when you don’t get what you want
- Wanting means you are able to tolerate frustration
Healthy or unhealthy: rage
Unhealthy. Client is not able to tolerate distress and takes it out on the environment.
Temporary solution to demandingness: satisfaction of demands
Just because a demand isn’t satisfied now doesn’t mean it’s never satisfied. Your demands can’t always be met.
Temporary solution to demandingness: distraction
The redirecting of attention is temporary and can be harmful (i.e. drugs/alcohol).
Temporary solution to demandingness: magic + mysticism
Uses beliefs that there is a magical fix and puts demands on the therapist
Healthy or unhealthy: sadness
Healthy. Able to internally experience the emotion at a stable level.
Healthy or unhealthy: annoyance
Healthy. Can keep the emotion internal and at a regulated level.
Healthy or unhealthy: anxiety
Unhealthy. Incessant worrying about melodramatic things.
Healthy or unhealthy: disappointment
Healthy. Can feel internally without an outburst.
Healthy or unhealthy: regret
Healthy. Can feel internally and then move on.
Healthy or unhealthy: jealousy
Unhealthy. Everyone is imperfect and jealousy indicates self-condemning behavior.
2 main goals of REBT
- Correct demandingness: recognize “musturbation”, irrational demands, and give up perfectionism
- Develop high frustration tolerance: accept reality even when grim, stop catastrophizing, develop coping and self-soothing skills
Healthy or unhealthy: depression
Unhealthy. Sadness to an extreme level.
Healthy or unhealthy: concern
Healthy. Can be felt at stable levels.
