Theory Application Grand Canyon University: PCN-500 Running head: THEORY APPLICATION 1 THEORY APPLICATION 7 Theory Application Introduction When examining the case study of Ana, the details provided about her life coupled with the symptoms she is experiencing could be theorized within the somewhat similar conceptual frameworks of the behavioral and rational emotive behavioral therapies. Due to personal beliefs and understanding, I selected the rational emotive behavioral method to provide both an explanation and effective remedy to the issues currently confronted by the client. Relevant Concepts Rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT) is a client based approach, that draws upon both behavioral and cognitive techniques and approaches (Lecture 4, 2014). REBT is centered around the ABC approach to personality, which postulates that events are processed on an individual level, in the confines of personal ideology and beliefs, and this act results in an emotional reaction (Murdock, 2012). In application with the case study of Ana, many of the difficulties could be addressed through identification of stressful factors, and her personal perceptions that are linked to the symptoms of anxiety and depression. To expound, her unemployment experience could be affecting her deeply, due to her own perceptions of what it means to be jobless. Through REBT, Ana’s conceptualization of such outside influences could be shifted to reflect that they are not a significant indication of her self-worth. As these internal changes take place, her feelings about the issues she is currently facing will be rationalized in a manner which causes the lease amount of emotional discomfort. REBT vs. Other Theories The central constructs of behavioral therapy present the behavior of the client as the most important factor to be changed (Murdock, 2012). In addition, BT asserts that client behavior is directly correlated to the external environment, and behavior can be strengthened or weakened by positive or negative consequences (Murdock, 2012). In contrast, REBT is rooted in the ideology that people have control over their thoughts and behaviors, though they do not have control over the external factors that influence life (Murdoc, 2012). In Ana’s case, I believe this approach would provide more encouragement and to identify, understand, and shift personal views, as REBT is constructivist, and therefore less analytic and rigid when compared to BT (Murdock, 2012). As researched by Iftene, Predescu, Stefan, and David, REBT was found to be equally as effective in treating symptoms of depression even when compared to pharmacological and cognitive-behavioral modes of therapy (2015). These characteristics strengthen the applicability of REBT as a viable means of rehabilitation for Ana and the issues she is currently facing. Goals and Intervention Strategies Through the lens of REBT, the most prominent goals of therapy are to remove irrational beliefs, and resulti ...

1. Theory Application
Grand Canyon University: PCN-500
Running head: THEORY APPLICATION 1
THEORY APPLICATION 7
Theory Application
Introduction
When examining the case study of Ana, the details
provided about her life coupled with the symptoms she is
experiencing could be theorized within the somewhat similar
conceptual frameworks of the behavioral and rational emotive
behavioral therapies. Due to personal beliefs and understanding,
I selected the rational emotive behavioral method to provide
both an explanation and effective remedy to the issues currently
confronted by the client.
Relevant Concepts
Rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT) is a client
based approach, that draws upon both behavioral and cognitive
techniques and approaches (Lecture 4, 2014). REBT is centered
around the ABC approach to personality, which postulates that
events are processed on an individual level, in the confines of
personal ideology and beliefs, and this act results in an
emotional reaction (Murdock, 2012). In application with the
case study of Ana, many of the difficulties could be addressed
through identification of stressful factors, and her personal
perceptions that are linked to the symptoms of anxiety and
depression. To expound, her unemployment experience could be
affecting her deeply, due to her own perceptions of what it
means to be jobless. Through REBT, Ana’s conceptualization of
such outside influences could be shifted to reflect that they are

2. not a significant indication of her self-worth. As these internal
changes take place, her feelings about the issues she is currently
facing will be rationalized in a manner which causes the lease
amount of emotional discomfort.
REBT vs. Other Theories
The central constructs of behavioral therapy present the
behavior of the client as the most important factor to be
changed (Murdock, 2012). In addition, BT asserts that client
behavior is directly correlated to the external environment, and
behavior can be strengthened or weakened by positive or
negative consequences (Murdock, 2012). In contrast, REBT is
rooted in the ideology that people have control over their
thoughts and behaviors, though they do not have control over
the external factors that influence life (Murdoc, 2012). In Ana’s
case, I believe this approach would provide more
encouragement and to identify, understand, and shift personal
views, as REBT is constructivist, and therefore less analytic and
rigid when compared to BT (Murdock, 2012). As researched by
Iftene, Predescu, Stefan, and David, REBT was found to be
equally as effective in treating symptoms of depression even
when compared to pharmacological and cognitive-behavioral
modes of therapy (2015). These characteristics strengthen the
applicability of REBT as a viable means of rehabilitation for
Ana and the issues she is currently facing.
Goals and Intervention Strategies
Through the lens of REBT, the most prominent goals of therapy
are to remove irrational beliefs, and resulting dysfunctional
behaviors while teaching the client the philosophies of REBT
(Murdock, 2012). Some areas to explore with Ana would be her
beliefs regarding her current professional situation, her social
involvement, and attitudes toward her family and relationships.
Perhaps, through exploring these topics, irrational assumptions
could be dispelled. One intervention strategy that could be
valuable to Ana would be disputing, which is a major
component of REBT therapy. When practicing the act of

3. disputing, clients are forced to closely consider their beliefs and
assumptions to become aware of their irrational, illogical nature
(Murdock, 2012). In addition to disputing, bibliotherapy,
reframing, humor, and the integration of rational coping
strategies could be used to assist Ana in coming to terms with
her personal beliefs that are causing her to cope with anxiety
and depression to her surroundings.
Appropriate Term of Therapy
Due to the complex elements of REBT, effective treatment
could take a significant amount of time. However, I believe the
most important factor, as a directive in appropriate term of
therapy, depends largely on the progress of the client, in this
case Ana. Therapy should only be concluded when consistent
progress is observed over a few sessions, and Ana is able to
rationally cope with new sources of stress in her life.
Counselor’s Role
Within the constructs of REBT, the role of the counselor is
as complex as the theories upon which the approach is built.
The counselor is expected to remain unconditionally accepting,
yet authoritative while employing organic personality traits
(Murdock, 2012). As common in classic modalities, the
counselor is to play more of an instructor role in guiding the
client to the acceptable perception of problems. However, the
individuality of the client remains an important factor in the
process of therapy.
Client’s Role
To provide the maximum benefit, the client is expected to
work very hard to understand the philosophies of REBT and
implement them into their everyday experiences (Murdock,
2012). The client is also to take on the more submissive role, as
the counselor leads them to their best mental state through
reworking and questioning harmful core beliefs.
Appropriate Population and Social/Cultural Components
Both BT and REBT are criticized when being evaluated
from a cultural and social standpoint, as the emphasis is truly

4. on the thoughts and reactions of the individual client (Murdock,
2012). It could therefore be argued that neither approach is
suitable for members of commonly oppressed or discriminated
origin, however I believe REBT allows for greater emphasis on
some social components to include a relaxed view on sexual
orientation when contrasted with BT (Murdock, 2012). Due to
Ana’s position, I believe REBT’s more wholesome approach
would be more effective in treating Ana, as a lot of her issues
seem to source from various relationships in which she is
currently active or inactive.
Additional Information
To aid in better administering therapy within the REBT
framework, it would be very valuable to discern Ana’s personal
values, ideologies, beliefs, and perceptions about herself, the
major people in her life, and the world in general. The more
information that can be obtained regarding the client, the better
understanding the counselor will hold. This leads to a situation
where Ana’s irrational thoughts and beliefs can be shifted to a
rational state.
Risks
The most significant risk of the REBT therapeutic
approach lies in the lack of importance placed on societal and
cultural influences (Murdock, 2012). As the focal point of
REBT is mainly the thoughts and reactions of the client, this
could leave some residual underlying issues in relationships
with other people, or lead to an extended amount of time in a
situation that is simply unsuitable for a person, regardless of
their individual beliefs.
Conclusion
As previously expressed, the concepts upon which rational
emotive behavioral therapy are built can apply to all people.
This theory is amazing in that it holds the ability to allow
complete independence from extraneous factors, simply through
reconstructing the understanding and thought process of the
client. Though it is lacking in social and cultural improvement,
this is something that could be added to REBT within an

5. eclectic therapeutic approach.
References
Iftene, F., Predescu, E., Stefan, S., & David, D. (2015).
Rational-emotive and cognitive-behavior therapy (REBT/CBT)
versus pharmacotherapy versus REBT/CBT plus
pharmacotherapy in the treatment of major depressive disorder
in youth; A randomized clinical trial. Psychiatry Research,
225(3), 687-694. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2014.11.021
Lecture 4. (2014). PCN 500: Behavioral therapy and rational
emotive behavior therapy (REBT). Phoenix, AZ: Grand Canyon
University
Murdock, N. L. (2012). Theories of counseling and
psychotherapy: A case approach (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River,
NJ: Pearson Education. ISBN-13: 9780132659789.