Rational Emotive
Therapy- Part ii
Managerial Counseling

Structure of the Presentation
4. Role Play
2. Practical Techniques
3. Case Discussion/
Video
1. Recap

Recap
• In 1955, Albert Ellis introduced Rational Emotive
Psychotherapy
• Salient Points/ Assumptions:
-People are not inherently good or evil
-All emotional problems caused by our own-
1. Irrational belief systems (faulty thinking)
2. Exaggerated reactions (anxiety, etc)
to events
- Human Beings are prone to self-doubt and negative self-
talk. eg. I am worthless, I am good-for-nothing, I am such
a fool

PRACTICAL TECHNIQUES OF RET

Points to Note for the RET
Counselor:
• Principal Aim of the Therapy ->
– Help clients to identify and change (eradicate) their
“irrational patterns of thinking”
– Show them how these dysfunctional patterns can lead to
emotional disturbances & counter-productive behavior
• In RET, there is less stress on empathy. The counsellor’s ability
to remain detached, though understanding is preferable
• The Counselor is expected to be Persuasive, directive &
challenging – promote client’s self-awareness, help to achieve
intellectual & emotional insight

How to go about using RET
• Establish relationship
• Try to remain detached (understanding is
preferable) to avoid being enmeshed in
her irrational thinking
• Observe and analyze all her irrational beliefs
• Be logical & direct in approach- use persuasion, didactic,
teaching & debate
• Use of informality & humor- make her less rigid in
thinking

What not do to as the RET
counselor
• Avoid showing too much of
warmth
• Avoid looking at her past
relationships
• Don’t be rigid (Vary your style
according to different needs of
different clients)

Technique 1: Counseling using the
A-B-C Model
A- Activating Event - Occurrence due to which
the person becomes upset
E.g. X was informed that Y will be given his b’day gift at 12
am. However, when the time came, X was not present. He
came after some time and blamed the group of not calling
him inspite of her staying in the same wing. He became very
upset and started crying
B- Belief System (Thinking- Cause)
Irrational Beliefs
1. People should always like me
2. People should always take me along with them
3. If they don’t like me and approve me, it’s awful,
dreadful and I can’t bear it
4. They did not want me and therefore did not call me
(Rational Beliefs
e.g. “It’s unfortunate that the group forgot to call me”)

Technique 1: Counseling using the
A-B-C Model (Contd..)
C- Consequences
Irrational
E.g. Disabled by irrational beliefs, suffers from
uncontrollable anger, depression, dejection
Rational
E.g. Feels unfortunate to have not been
reminded, analyzes why he was not reminded
and plans to alter his approach (make himself
available when informed)
The emotional and behavioral consequences do not stem
primarily from the activating events (A) of our lives, but from
our belief systems (B)

Technique 2: Homework
• Clients are given homework
assignments to complete (eg.
Writing diary, critical thinking and
questioning)
• Bibliotherapy- Selection of Self-
help books
• Task or activity (shop assistant)
• Aim -> challenge & correct
irrational beliefs and replace them
with more realistic & less
disturbing language or self-talk

Technique 2: Homework (contd..)
• Points to keep in mind:
– Make the client understand the purpose of
homework
– Client should be clear about targets
– Make sure that clients complete the assignments
– Adequately plan and discuss- how to do it (record,
tape, etc.)
– Discuss and give positive reinforcements for
success & achievement

Technique 3: Humor
• Can be used to show the Client
how ludicrous & amusing their
irrational beliefs really are
• Caution:
– Always use humor with the client
& never against him
– Judge accurately its
appropriateness or otherwise
with individual clients

Technique 4: Imagery
• Help to imagine various situations & observe
how they choose to respond
• Project themselves into future – test the
validity of their fears about events which
might occur later on

Technique 5: Role Play
• Use when clients are disturbed or
apprehensive about a particular
situation. (eg. Job interview)
• Allow him to confront his negative
feelings and the beliefs underlying
his feelings
• Move on & the explore more
positive ways of responding, in
particular, more realistic beliefs
about the interview

Technique 6: Group-work
• RET can be used in group setting- groups
of 12-14
• Advantages-
– Efficient & Economical- more people are
present to receive therapy
– Learn the method & skills for successful group
interaction- All are taught about RET -they can
assume the role of the therapist (under the
guidance of the group leader)
– Learn from hearing other people talk about
their problems
– Additional reinforcement to the individual
counselees

Thank You