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Cognitive Therapy by Aaron Beck and Rational Emotive Therapy by Albert Ellis-Hizon

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is a type of cognitive therapy developed by Albert Ellis that focuses on resolving problems by changing irrational beliefs into more rational ones. REBT identifies irrational beliefs like "I must be perfect" and encourages challenging them through reality testing. Cognitive Therapy, developed by Aaron Beck, is similar but focuses on recognizing and challenging negative automatic thoughts and cognitive distortions that can cause depression. Both therapies aim to change dysfunctional thought and behavior patterns by recognizing how thoughts, emotions, and actions are connected.

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602 views7 pages

Cognitive Therapy by Aaron Beck and Rational Emotive Therapy by Albert Ellis-Hizon

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is a type of cognitive therapy developed by Albert Ellis that focuses on resolving problems by changing irrational beliefs into more rational ones. REBT identifies irrational beliefs like "I must be perfect" and encourages challenging them through reality testing. Cognitive Therapy, developed by Aaron Beck, is similar but focuses on recognizing and challenging negative automatic thoughts and cognitive distortions that can cause depression. Both therapies aim to change dysfunctional thought and behavior patterns by recognizing how thoughts, emotions, and actions are connected.

Uploaded by

Dan Hizon
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Southern Luzon State University

College of Allied Medicine


Lucban, Quezon

Hizon, Dan Melton Anthony A.

BSN-3B

Cognitive Therapy by Aaron Beck and


Rational Emotive Therapy by Albert
Ellis
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy


(REBT) is a type cognitive therapy first
used by Albert Ellis which focuses on
resolving emotional and behavioral
problems. The goal of the therapy is to
change irrational beliefs to more
rational ones.

REBT encourages a person to identify


their general and irrational beliefs (e.g. I must be perfect") and subsequently
persuades the person to challenge these false beliefs through reality testing.

Albert Ellis (1957, 1962) proposes that each of us hold a unique set of
assumptions about ourselves and our world that serve to guide us through life
and determine our reactions to the various situations we encounter.

Unfortunately, some people’s assumptions are largely irrational, guiding them


to act and react in ways that are inappropriate and that prejudice their
chances of happiness and success.  Albert Ellis calls these basic irrational
assumptions.

Some people irrationally assume that they are failures if they are not loved by
everyone they know - they constantly seek approval and repeatedly feel
rejected.  All their interactions are affected by this assumption, so that a great
party can leave them dissatisfied because they don’t get enough
compliments.

What are the principles of REBT?

REBT is grounded in the idea that people generally want to do well in life. For
example, you probably want to achieve your goals and find happiness. But
sometimes, irrational thoughts and feelings get in the way. These beliefs can
influence how you perceive circumstances and events — usually not for the
better.

Imagine you’ve texted someone you’ve been dating for a month. You see
they’ve read the message, but several hours pass with no reply. By the next
day, they still haven’t replied. You might start to think that they’re ignoring you
because they don’t want to see you.

You might also tell yourself that you did something wrong when you last saw
them, you may then tell yourself that relationships never work out and that you
will be alone for the rest of your life.

Here’s how this example illustrates the core principles — called the ABCs —
of REBT:

 A refers to the (a)ctivating event or situation that triggers a negative


reaction or response. In this example, the A is the lack of reply.

 B refers to the (b)eliefs or irrational thoughts you might have about an


event or situation. The B in the example is the belief that they don’t
want to see you anymore or that you’ve done something wrong and
that you will be alone for the rest of your life.

 C refers to the (c)onsequences, often the distressing emotions, that


result from the irrational thoughts or beliefs. In this example, that might
include feelings of worthlessness or not being good enough.

What techniques are used in REBT?

REBT uses three main types of techniques, which correspond with the ABCs.
Each therapist might use a slightly different combination of techniques
depending on both their past clinical experiences and your symptoms.

Problem-solving techniques

These strategies can help address the activating event (A).

They often include working to develop:

 problem-solving skills

 assertiveness

 social skills

 decision-making skills

 conflict resolution skills

Cognitive restructuring techniques

These strategies help you to change irrational beliefs (B).

They might include:

 logical or rationalizing techniques

 guided imagery and visualization


 reframing, or looking at events in a different way

 humor and irony

 exposure to a feared situation

 disputing irrational thoughts

Coping techniques

Coping techniques can help you better manage the emotional consequences
(C) of irrational thoughts.

These coping techniques may include:

 relaxation

 hypnosis

 meditation

Regardless of the techniques they use, your therapist will also likely give you
some work to do on your own between sessions. This gives you a chance to
apply the skills you learn in a session to your daily lie. For example, they
might have you write down how you feel after experiencing something that
usually makes you feel anxious and think about how your response made you
feel.

Common Irrational Assumptions:

• The idea that one should be thoroughly competent at everything.

• The idea that is it catastrophic when things are not the way you want them to
be.

• The idea that people have no control over their happiness.

• The idea that you need someone stronger than yourself to be dependent on.
• The idea that your past history greatly influences your present life.

• The idea that there is a perfect solution to human problems, and it’s a
disaster if you don’t find it.
Ellis believes that people often forcefully hold on to this illogical way of
thinking, and therefore employs highly emotive techniques to help them
vigorously and forcefully change this irrational thinking.

Cognitive Therapy

Beck’s (1967) system of therapy is similar to


Ellis’s, but has been most widely used in
cases of depression. Cognitive therapists
help clients to recognize the negative
thoughts and errors in logic that cause them
to be depressed.

The therapist also guides clients to question


and challenge their dysfunctional thoughts,
try out new interpretations, and ultimately
apply alternative ways of thinking in their daily lives.

Aaron Beck believes that a person’s reaction to specific upsetting thoughts


may contribute to abnormality. As we confront the many situations that arise
in life, both comforting and upsetting thoughts come into our heads.  Beck
calls these unbidden cognition’s automatic thoughts.

When a person’s stream of automatic thoughts is very negative you would


expect a person to become depressed (I’m never going to get this essay
finished, my girlfriend fancies my best friend, I’m getting fat, I have no money,
my parents hate me - have you ever felt like this?). Quite often these negative
thoughts will persist even in the face of contrary evidence.

Beck (1967) identified three mechanisms that he thought were responsible for
depression:
1. The cognitive triad (of negative automatic thinking
2. Negative self schemas
3. Errors in Logic (i.e. faulty information processing

Concept

CBT is largely based on the idea that your thoughts, emotions, and actions
are connected. In other words, the way you think and feel about something
can affect what you do.

If you’re under a lot of stress at work, for example, you might see situations
differently and make choices you wouldn’t ordinarily make.

But another key concept of CBT is that these thought and behavior patterns
can be changed.

CBT can help with a range of things, including the


following mental health conditions:

 depression
 eating disorders
 post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
 anxiety disorders, including panic and phobia
 obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
 schizophrenia
 bipolar disorder
 substance misuse

But you don’t need to have a specific mental health condition to


benefit from CBT. It can also help with:

 relationship difficulties
 breakup or divorce
 a serious health diagnosis, such as cancer
 grief or loss
 chronic pain
 low self-esteem
 insomnia
 general life stress

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