Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy

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While relatively new to the psychological scene, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) has the potential to become a helpful addition to Christian counselors’ perspectives. Albert Ellis, who introduced the theory in 1956 (Tan, 2011, p. 251), used his ideas about perception on himself to overcome social anxiety before he ever became a well-known theorist (Murdock, 2013, p. 274). His fierce and carefree attitude defines his lectures, his writing, and his techniques in therapy to the point where it becomes a weakness and can negatively affect clients and therapists alike if not balanced with warmth and empathy (Tan, 2011, p. 272). Nevertheless, the theory shares many beneficial similarities of the more popular Cognitive Behavior Therapy, such as “their focus on the crucial role of maladaptive, dysfunctional thinking in the development of a psychopathology” (Tan, 2011, p. 256). Murdock (2013) explains that Ellis developed his theory primarily because of his childhood experiences with anxiety. The techniques used in psychoanalysis did not suit him, although those were his original therapeutic roots. REBT is therefore only slightly deterministic in that Ellis believes people – neutral entities by nature – can create their own reality, either thriving in it or succumbing to it. The way a person is capable of defining her environment and relationships is through her rational or irrational beliefs (RBs and IBs). For example, if a troubling circumstance arises, she can choose to believe it is annoying or frustrating but not catastrophic (RB); or she can believe that it is entirely horrible (IB). During childhood is when people learn IBs from their parents or other significant people, and the IBs often infiltrate every aspect of a perso... ... middle of paper ... ...avior therapy within the philosophy of mainstream Christianity. Journal Of Cognitive & Behavioral Psychotherapies, 6(1), 45-56. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.library.dbu.edu:2048/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=20355130&site=ehost-live Johnson, W., & Ridley, C. R. (1992). Brief Christian and non-Christian rational-emotive therapy. Counseling & Values, 36(3), 220. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.library.dbu.edu:2048/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=9705070523&site=ehost-live Murdock, N. L. (2013). Theories of counseling and psychotherapy (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. Pies, R. (2011). The Judaic foundations of rational-emotive behavioural therapy. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 14(5), 459-472. doi:10.1080/13674671003802754 Tan, S. (2011). Counseling and psychotherapy: A Christian perspective. Grand Rapids, MI: BakerAcademic.

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