Intro Rebt CBT
Intro Rebt CBT
Intro Rebt CBT
by Meir Stolear
Introduction:
The following will help you understand better the
psychological, the emontional and the behavioural
changes that the therapy is aiming to bring about.
You may find it difficult to understand it at the first
reading, however, keep it with you, as you are likely
to find it very useful once you have started your therapy. Essentially your therapy is based on Rational
Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) and the other
Cognitive Behaviour Therapies (CBT).
beliefs that are found, as they are assumed to be the are left with the choice between believing that your
main causes of emotional and behavioural disfunc- interpretation is true or untrue.
tions in human beings.
Basically, when it comes to beliefs, we need to
know if our beliefs are rational (rBs) or irrational
(iBs). Usually rBs are flexible, realistic and undemanding, whereas iBs are rigid, unrealistic and demanding.
After analysing the problem and disputing the irrational cognition, the model will lead you to create
an alternate rational cognition that can help you to
develop healthy emotions and behaviour, which are
most likely to help you in activating your goals in
life.
*C = Consequence
As stated earlier, the way that we will feel and act
after experiencing a bad event in our life will be
heavily dependant on our personal A+B (i.e. our
interpretation of the events and our beliefs about
our interpretations).
2
If we have been rational overall after experienc2. Logical disputing, where you ask yourself
ing a bad event it is likely that we will feel bad, questions such as:
but not disturbed, and that means that we will act - Is it sensible to demand all that I will for?
to promote happiness in ourselves after recovering - Is it logical to turn my desires into demands?
from the initial shook. However, if we have been irrational overall, that means that we will become too
disturbed to act in a self-helping way.
3. Pragmatic disputing, where you ask yourself
questions such as;
- Have my beliefs helped me so far?
In REBT-CBT we see two kind of negative emo- Have my beliefs been able to help me find solutions
tions: one we call healthy negative emotions and the
to my problems?
other we call uhealthy negative emotions.
*E = Effect
At this stage you will be able to create your own rBs
which will replace your iBs. You will learn to use
cognitive and behavioural modifications techniques
that will reinforce your rBs, which in turn will effect
your moods and actions for the better over time.
That is to say, are you not only going to feel better
but will become better.