What can I expect by working with this approach?
During the sessions, you will be introduced to the ABCDE model for managing your psychological and behavioral problems:
- 'A' stands for an activating or adversary event, а trigger
- 'C' refers to Consequences,
- 'B' refers to Beliefs.
- 'D' refers to Disputing irrational beliefs (IBs)
- 'E' refers to an Effective New Life Philosophy
According to REBT, it is not the Activating Event "A" that determines the consequences "C" such as depression or anxiety, but our "B" Beliefs. Having said, a person discomfort is not cased by the event "A" but mediated by his rigid view. REBP distinguishes two types of belief- rational and irrational:
- Irrational beliefs (IBs) provoke unhealthy consequences and feelings such as depression, unhealthy anger or anxiety
- Rational beliefs (RBs) leads to qualitatively distinct emotions like sadness or concern.
In therapy, you will learn that there are several forms of irrational beliefs (IBs). These are with demanding, rigid and extreme obligatory character and manifested by verbs such as Must, Should, Ought to.
For example, "This man must behave in this manner with me"
How do I solve the problem?
You will acquire the ability to recognize IBs and challenge them in Phase “D”-Disputing. This is achieved recording a diary of IBs, emotive imagery, cognitive restructuring, empirical and logical validation, or behavioral exposure. REBT argues that not only intellectual understanding or insight is necessary for change, but also experiencing it in an emotional way. This will be accomplished by intensive and long-lasting practice as a new form of Rational view become more natural facing the adversary situation. Thus, it would lead you to an effective new life philosophy- "E".
What about your feelings?
REBT put strong emphasize on the emotion. It is focused on building healthy emotions, which are not necessarily positive as joy, but may also be negative as sadness. In REBT theory, the negative experiences are not seen as something bad but as conditions for personal growth. A strong emphasis is placed on taking personal responsibility for your emotions and developing a strong emotional tolerance.
How do my beliefs will change?
Your views by accepting others, the world and yourself will lead to a ne mindset and you will expand your world view by being more flexible and less unhealthy evaluative. The main focus at REBT will be confronting your Irrational thoughts to experience the Healthy Effects at "C".
The Benefit of REBT
REBT uses simple language to illustrate the meaning of things. For example techniques such as storytelling, demonstrations, humor, or practical exercises can be employed. REBT has very good results with panic attacks, phobias, anxiety, depression, OCD, stress, alcohol abuse or anger management problems.