Theory and Practice of Rational-Emotive Therapy, Essay Example

Abstract

Albert Ellis is the developer of “Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), whose previous name was called “rational therapy” as well as “rational emotive therapy”. It is basically a psychotherapy that is based on the empirical, comprehensive, philosophical as well as active-directive approach with the principle aim of focusing on the resolution of emotional as well as behavioral problems accompanied with disturbances. He also encourages people towards the ability of leading lives that are happier as well as fulfilling

Rational-Emotive Therapy

Historic context

Albert Ellis, who was born in 1913 and lived up to 2007, was an American psychologist who gained immense training in the field of psychoanalyst. The early part of his career was associated with disillusionment concerning the slow rate of progress that was evident in the clients. He made the observations that the client’s rates of improvements were associated with the extent of their ability in changing their attitudes as well as thoughts concerning themselves as well as their problems. This led to the development of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) in 1955. The success of this development was further promoted by the inspiration that Ellis got from the teachings of the philosophers who were based I Rome, Greece as well as Asia in addition to the philosophers of the time (Davis,  Eshelman & Matthew, 2000).

REBT is there among the primary as well as the foremost approaches addressing ‘cognitive behavior therapy’ (CBT) whose initial stages were expounded by Ellis at the middle of the 1950s. The developments of the theory are still evident to date. REBT has the implication of a certain form of CBT whose primary focus relates to the approach of treatment responsible for the suggestion of changes in the pattern of thinking which are latter consequential to behavioral changes. This leads to the alleviation as well as improvements of the symptoms (Ellis & Russell, 1986). Major emphasis of the therapy are based on a reversal of the irrational patterns of thinking which may lead to emotional distress in to more reasonable as well as rational types of thoughts. The application of REBT has been evident in the treatment of people who are affected by disorders of the nature of anxiety as well as depression among others.

Further arguments advocated by Ellis held that the tendency of people becoming unhappy as well as the inherent development of habits related to self-defeat arises out of unrealistic as well as faulty beliefs. The reports from a research that he conducted in the year 1979 to 1987; the model of the origin of the majority of irrational beliefs from three unrealistic core ideas was investigated. The three unrealistic cores include the following:

• Proper performance for the sake of approval from others whose perceptions are insignificant
• Fair treatment is a requirement whose absence results to unbearable horrible situation.
• Conditions must align the way of the individual

These are the thoughts considered to be irrational that are consequential to grief accompanied with needless suffering. In its capacity in form of a therapy RET is usually active.  They are intended as strides towards the modification of irrational behavior, pose some challenges on the mode of thinking as well as the promotion of rational self talk. The achievement of success in this respect depends on the application of diverse strategies for the achievement of the relevant goals. The most common strategy with wide application includes;

• Disputing beliefs that are irrational while viewing situations from a positive angle.
• The solution of problems
• Modeling
• Role playing
• Application of humor
• Completion of home based exercises
• Bibliotherapy i.e. reading on the disorder

Underlying Theory of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy

The view of humans in the context of REBT is a situation of ‘responsibly hedonistic’   (Coon, 1997). This has the implication of the need for striving in order to stay alive while at the same time achieving a certain extent of contentment. The theory however points at the tendency of man in the adoption of beliefs as well as behaviors that appear to be irrational that block the way responsible for the achievements of goals as well as purposes. The irrational attitudes as well as philosophies assume a strong or rather a dogmatic ‘musts’, ‘shoulds’, or ‘oughts’; those are usually in contrast with the rational as well as the flexible desires, wants, preferences as well as wishes.

The availability of philosophies on the extreme sides are responsible for the creation of the differences between the emotions that are healthy as well as negative; sadness, regret, concern being good examples.

The essential process in the transformation that is usually fostered by REBT has its origin on knowledge of the client with regard to the problem existence in addition to the identification of existing ‘meta-disturbances’ in as far as the problem is concerned. There is a need for the identification of the beliefs that are irrational and the reasons for the preference of the rational alternatives. There is a tendency among the clients in challenging irrational beliefs that are inherent in themselves accompanied with the employment  of various cognitive, behavioral, emotive as well as  imagery techniques for the purpose of strengthening individual  conviction with the application of  alternative that are rational.

References

Coon, D. (1997). Essentials of Psychology. 7th ed. Pacific Grove: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company.

Ellis, A. & Russell, G. (1986). Handbook of Rational-emotive Therapy. NY: Springer Pub. Co.

Davis, Ma., Eshelman, E. R. & Matthew, M., (2000). The relaxation & stress reduction   workbook. NY: Harbinger Publications.