Theoretical Models of Counseling and Psychotherapy, - PowerPoint Presentation

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Theoretical Models of Counseling and Psychotherapy, 3rd Edition Chapter 10: Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy

Mario De La Garza, M.Ed.

University of North TexasSlide2

Albert EllisThe oldest of three childrenStruggled with serious kidney problemsFather was physically absent; Mother was emotionally absent

Figured out a way to survive on his own

Trained as a psychoanalyst, but found it’s passive approach incongruent with his views

Died in 2007Slide3

Development of TheoryEllis found passive style of analysis to have little effect on belief system of clients.Ellis formulated a personality change process using direct confrontation modeled after his experiments and experiences.RT

→ RET → REBTSlide4

Philosophical UnderpinningsEpistemology – branch of philosophy studying the nature of knowledge and asking the question, “How do we know what we know?”Knowledge based on individuals’ selective interpretations

How a person perceives events and people will affect how that person thinks/feels/behaves.

Epictetus: “Humans are disturbed not by things, but by the views they take of things.”Slide5

Philosophical UnderpinningsRelativism: no absolute truth or reality existsDialectics: the role of logical thought and human reason in the acquisition of knowledgeConsider all evidence before coming to a conclusion

Responsible hedonism: the creation of short- and long-term goals to maximize pleasure potentialSlide6

Philosophical UnderpinningsHumanism: appreciating the individuality, creativity, and autonomy of a personPeople have innate worth.Dysfunction arises when this worth is not valued (self-criticism and comparing).Slide7

Function of the PsycheHumans innately want to survive, feel pleasure, and attain self-actualization.Humans are largely influenced by two innate tendencies:The overwhelming

tendency to think and behave irrationally

The tendency to think rationally and dispute irrational thoughtsSlide8

Structure of the PsycheEllis’s ABC model: a universal processing systemActivating event or experience (A)Beliefs about A (B)

Emotional/Behavioral /

Cognitivre

consequence (C)

Most people believe A causes C.

Actually, one’s beliefs (B) about A cause C.Slide9

Role of the EnvironmentBiology and the environment interact to create psychological disturbance.Neither biology nor the environment is absolutely causative.A person’s unique perception and experience will also influence psychological functioning.Slide10

Healthy FunctioningRational thinking = HealthyRational people exhibit:FlexibilityA willingness to make mistakes and learnThe ability to base interpretations and conclusions on realistic data Slide11

Healthy FunctioningYou are free; define yourself.Live in dialogue with your fellow human beings.

Your own experience is the highest authority.

Be fully present in the immediacy of the moment.

There is no truth except action.

You must learn to accept certain limits in life.Slide12

Unhealthy FunctioningIrrational thinking = Unhealthy - Demands: Dogmatic beliefs about self, others, and the world, “I must be liked by others”.

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Awfulizing

Beliefs

: Rigid and intense consequences that flow from dogmatic demands, “I must be liked by others and if I am not, then I am a total failure”.

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Low frustration tolerance beliefs

: Occur when people insist that life be less frustrating, “I must be liked by others and I can’t stand it when I am not”.Slide13

Unhealthy Functioning - Depreciation beliefs: Flow from demands about self, others and the world and demean the whole based on one failure, “I must be liked by others and if I am not, then I am a complete loser”. Slide14

Client’s RoleAcknowledge the problemIdentify and overcome secondary disturbance

Identify the irrational beliefs that underpin primary problem

Understand why the irrational beliefs are irrational

Understand why rational beliefs would be more realistic and have better outcomesSlide15

Client’s Role6. Challenge irrational belief(s) and strengthen rational alternative.7. Learn cognitive, emotional, and behavioral techniques to strengthen rational conviction.

8. Identify and overcome obstacles to change.

10. Keep

working against tendency to think and act irrationally.Slide16

Counselor’s RoleProvide unconditional acceptance.Be active and directive in disputing irrational beliefs (of client and of self).Have a good sense of humor.Be willing to take risks.

Accept oneself as imperfect.

Be present-focused.Slide17

StagesBeginning StageBuild rapport.Teach client basics of REBT.Middle Stage

Client uses ABC model to dispute irrational beliefs.

Ending Stage

Resolution of presenting problems

Client demonstrates ability to continue to use REBT to dispute irrational beliefs and solve other problems.Slide18

TechniquesCognitive TechniquesRational self-statementsBecoming an REBT teacherSemantic precision

Emotive Techniques

Imagery

Humor

Shame-attacking exercises

Behavioral Techniques

Activity-oriented homeworkSlide19

Interface with Recent Developments in Mental HealthNature/NurtureEllis posited an interactive role of biology and environment in determining psychological functioningDSM 5 Diagnosis

Emphasis is not on diagnosis but on disputing irrational beliefs

Open to using it for business purposes (

ie

insurance)

Pharmacotherapy

REBT therapists support using medication as adjunct to psychotherapy.Slide20

Interface with Recent Developments in Mental HealthManaged Care and Brief TherapyWell suited for brief therapyDiagnosis not clinically relevant but pragmatically necessary in this age of managed care

REBT most helpful with single-issue clients

Technical Eclecticism

REBT practitioners can use a wide array of techniques from various schools of thought—as long as these techniques help people think more rationally.Slide21

Interface with Recent Developments in Mental HealthDiversity IssuesREBT supports flexibility in thinking and attitudes about self and others.

Gender role work

Ellis believed people are born bisexual and have the ability to enjoy sex with any partner

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Spirituality

Ellis’s view of religion as irrational changed over time.

Religious/spiritual philosophies and REBT have been found to have commonalities.

Effectiveness

of psychotherapy

Research supports REBT as an effective mode of change.Slide22

LimitationsBecause of some clients’ personalities or cultures, they dislike some aspects of the counselor’s role:Little empathic focus on emotionsConfrontational and disputationalCan seem more argumentative than understanding/caring/supportiveSlide23

ContributionsRefinement of Adler’s work into a more present-oriented and focused approachABC modelEllis’s forceful personalitySlide24

ReferencesFall, K. A., Holden, J. M., & Marquis, A. (2016). Theoretical models of counseling and psychotherapy (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Routledge.