2. I. Bibliography of Dr. Albert Ellis
II. Definition of Rational Emotive Therapy (R.E.T)
III. History of Rational Emotive Therapy
IV. R.E.T in detail
1. Goal of Happiness
2. Three (3) Common Irrational Beliefs
3. How R.E.T/R.E.B.T Works
a. Three (3) Insights
b. Acceptance
V. R.E.T in Clinical Setting
3. Born in Pittsburgh, PA on September 27, 1913
Recieved his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in psychology from Columbia University
Founder of the Rational Emotive Therapy
Established the Albert Ellis Institute a non-profit
organization, in 1959 at Manhattan
Practiced Psychology, Marriage and Family Counseling, Sex
Therapy for over sixty years
4. Held several high positions in various
associations
Published more than 800 scientific papers,
200 audio and video cassettes, and over 75
books and monographs
Ranked as one of the “Most Influential
Psychologists,” and in 1971, the American
Humanist Association named him the
Humanist of the Year
Died at home on July 24, 2007 at age 94
5. I. Bibliography of Dr. Albert Elis
Rational Emotive Therapy (R.E.T.)
Now known as Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
A comprehensive, active-directive, philosophically based psychotherapy focusing on
resolving emotional and behavioral problems
Framework: Humans have both rational and irrational tendencies and leanings. These
tendencies are innately biological and indoctrinated early in and during life, and further
grow stronger as a person continually clings on them.
Objective: To show that whenever unpleasant and unfortunate events occur in our lives,
we have a choice of making ourselves feel self-helpingly healthy
6. I. Bibliography of Dr. Albert Elis
II. Definition of R.E.T.
Established by Dr. Ellis in mid-1950s
Originally called rational therapy but revised to rational emotive therapy and
lately, rational emotive behavior therapy
Fundamental aspects of R.E.T. have been identified in Stoicism.
Truths of stoicism were best set forth by
Greek philosopher Epictetus who stated
that “Men are disturbed not by things,
but by the views which they take of
them.”
7. I. Bibliography of Dr. Albert Elis
II. Definition of R. E. T.
III. History of R. E. T.
Premise: It is not the events that taking place in our lives that upset us, it is the
beliefs that we hold that cause us to become depressed, anxious, enraged, etc.
According to Albert Ellis, the vast majority of us want to be HAPPY.
8. I. Bibliography of Dr. Albert Elis
II. Definition of R. E. T.
III. History of R. E. T.
GOAL OF HAPPINESS
We want to be happy whether we are alone or
with others
We want to get along with others—especially with
one or two close friends
We want to be well informed and educated
We want a good job with good pay
We want to enjoy our leisure time
But life does not always allow us to have what we want. Our goal of being
happy is often thwarted by slings and arrows of misfortunes.
9. I. Bibliography of Dr. Albert Elis
II. Definition of R. E. T.
III. History of R. E. T.
When our goals are blocked we respond either healthily or unhealthily.
According to Ellis, although our responses vary but the beliefs that upset us are
variations of three common irrational beliefs. Each of these beliefs contains a
demand to ourselves, other people, and the world in general
10. I. Bibliography of Dr. Albert Elis
II. Definition of R. E. T.
III. History of R. E. T.
THREE BASIC MUSTS/COMMON IRRATIONAL BELIEFS
Toward Yourself: I must do Toward Others: Towards the world:
well and win the approval of Other people must treat me I must get what I want, when I
others for my performances considerately, fairly, and kindly, and in want it; and I must not get what I
or else I am no good exactly the way I want them to treat don’t want. It’s terrible if I don’t
me. If they don’t, they are no good get what I want, and I can’t stand
and they deserve to be condemned it.
and punished
Holding this belief when faced with Holding this belief when faced with adversity Holding this belief when faced with
adversity tends to contribute to tends to contribute to feelings of anger, rage, adversity tends to contribute to frustration,
feelings of anxiety, panic, fury, and vindictiveness. discomfort, intolerance, self-pity, anger,
depression, despair, and depression, procrastination, avoidance,
worthlessness and inaction.
11. I. Bibliography of Dr. Albert Elis
II. Definition of R. E. T.
III. History of R. E. T.
ABC FORMAT
A. Something happens.
B. You have a belief about the situation.
C. You have an emotional reaction to the belief.
EXAMPLE
Activating Event: Your employer falsely accuses you of taking money from her purse
and threatens to fire you.
Belief: You believe, “She has no right to accuse me. She’s a bitch!”
Consequence: You feel angry.
12. I. Bibliography of Dr. Albert Elis
II. Definition of R. E. T.
III. History of R. E. T.
ABC FORMAT
A. Something happens.
B. You have a belief about the situation.
C. You have an emotional reaction to the belief.
EXAMPLE
Activating Event: Your employer falsely accuses you of taking money from her purse
and threatens to fire you.
Belief: You believe, “I must not lose my job. That would be unbearable!”
Consequence: You feel anxious.
13. I. Bibliography of Dr. Albert Elis
II. Definition of R. E. T.
III. History of R. E. T.
IV. R. E. T. in details
The ABC model shows that A does not cause C.
It is B that causes C.
First Example: It is not your employer’s false accusation and threat that make you
angry; it is your belief that she has no right to accuse you, and that she is a bitch.
Second Example: It is your belief that you must not lose your job that makes you
feel anxious.
14. I. Bibliography of Dr. Albert Elis
II. Definition of R. E. T.
III. History of R. E. T.
IV. R. E. T. in details
15. I. Bibliography of Dr. Albert Elis
II. Definition of R. E. T.
III. History of R. E. T.
IV. R. E. T. in details
R.E.T Therapists contention: That although we all think irrationally from time
to time and it is unlikely that we entirely eliminate the chances of thinking
irrationally, but we can work at reducing the tendencies.
We can work at reducing:
Frequency
Duration
Intensity
How: By developing three insights
16. I. Bibliography of Dr. Albert Elis
II. Definition of R. E. T.
III. History of R. E. T.
IV. R. E. T. in details
THREE INSIGHTS
We don’t merely get No matter when and how we The only way to get
upset by mainly upset start upsetting ourselves, we better is to work hard
ourselves continue to feel upset at changing our beliefs
If we hold on to our If we hold or cling to our If we practice, practice,
inflexible beliefs irrational beliefs practice
17. I. Bibliography of Dr. Albert Elis
II. Definition of R. E. T.
III. History of R. E. T.
IV. R. E. T. in details
Goal: To help people change their irrational beliefs into rational beliefs.
Changing beliefs is the real work of the therapy and is achieved by leading the
person DISPUTE ones irrational beliefs.
Disputing is the D of the ABC model
18. I. Bibliography of Dr. Albert Elis
II. Definition of R. E. T.
III. History of R. E. T.
IV. R. E. T. in details
ACCEPTANCE TO REALITY
Unconditional Self- Unconditional Other- Unconditional Life-
acceptance acceptance acceptance
1. I am fallible human being; I 1. Other people will treat me 1. Life does not always work out
have my good points and bad unfairly from time to time; the way that I’d like it to;
points; 2. There is no reason why they 2. There is no reason why life
2. There is no reason why I must must treat me fairly; must go the way I want it to;
not have flaws; 3. The people who treat me 3. Life is not necessarily
3. Despite my good points and unfairly are no more worthy or pleasant but it is never awful
bad points, I am no more no less worthy than any other and it is nearly always
worthy or less worthy then any human being bearable
other human being
19. I. Bibliography of Dr. Albert Elis
II. Definition of R. E. T.
III. History of R. E. T.
IV. R. E. T. in details
Precaution: No major precautions, except that a person must be willing to change
Preparation: Person will undergo a biopsychosocial assessment via structured
interview
Strategies:
Disputing irrational beliefs
Reframing by viewing at a different angle
Problem-solving
Role-playing
Modeling
Humor
Bibliotherapy by reading about the disorder
Counselling or coaching
20. I. Bibliography of Dr. Albert Elis
II. Definition of R. E. T.
III. History of R. E. T.
IV. R. E. T. in details
Aftercare: May or may not be indicated. Follow-up is only recommended if the
person is at risk for relapse behaviours
Normal Results: The person begins to understand, improve, and enhance
dealings with self, others, and life in general.
Abnormal Results: There are no abnormal results per se, but persons who are
unwilling to change may not gain beneficial behaviours.
