How Does Ellis Use Rebt Theory

Dr. Ellis utilized REBT theory in all interactions with his client, Gloria. He closely followed the ABCDE model, explained by Murdock as A being the activating experience, B is the belief about A, C is the consequence, D is the dispute, and E is the new effect(2013, p.291) . Dr. Ellis allowed Gloria to begin freely asking her what she would like to do during session. Gloria identified her adaptation to being a single woman while raising children as her activating experience and verbally expressed some confusion. Gloria explained that she felt it was important that her children respect her as a mother, but felt that it was also important that she is satisfied as a woman. Gloria believed that a consequence of her belief is that she would lose the respect of her children or never find a man to satisfy her

needs.

The core of the therapy session was focused on the dispute, where Ellis challenged Gloria’s tendency to “catastrophize.” More specifically, he challenged Gloria’s irrational emotions (“If this is so, that would be awful,”), asking her, “Would that really be so awful?” In another attempt to point out her tendency to catastrophize, he had Gloria act “as if” she were an average woman like Jane Doe. Through this process of disputing the irrational emotions and thoughts, Gloria was able to move towards a new effect, or new thought/emotion about the same activating event. Ellis’ approach to therapy shares several similar techniques with Adler’s Individual Psychology. Both approaches encourage their clients to act as if in order to challenge their maladaptive thoughts. Both therapists also include the importance of creating images (Individual Psychology) or rational emotive imagery (REBT). While Ellis plays a more active role in therapy sessions by disputing his client's thoughts and emotions, his approach is similar to the less

abrasive, Adler's.
The behavioral therapist included several key behavioral techniques in her session with her client, Kathleen. The therapist indirectly was encouraging Kathleen to become more assertive in the workplace, due to her client’s dysfunctional anxiety in interpersonal situations. In order to reinforce this assertiveness, Kathleen was asked to role play the anxiety-producing situation in a safe place where she could feel comfortable with the situation. The role play was able to encourage Kathleen to be more assertive in her relationships and to reinforce that she was capable of having the necessary conversation with her boss. Finally, at the end of the session, the therapist strongly encouraged Kathleen to complete relaxation homework between sessions in order to reduce the anxiety that she was experiencing prior to confronting her boss. Deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation are two common techniques that are used in conjunction with Behavioral Therapy. Behavioral therapy shares several elements with CBT, despite its lack of concentration on the more cognitive factors that drive behavior. In both models of therapy, clients are often assigned homework to complete between sessions to reinforce the topics covered in therapy. These homework assignments often include behavioral experiments or activities. In both models, the behavior is what is observable. While behavioral therapy looks to change maladaptive behavior, CBT is more interested in understanding the thoughts and emotions that cause the behavior.