Many types of therapy have been called cognitive behavior therapy. Albert Ellis's Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) deals with cognition and behavior, assuming that people contribute to their psychological symptoms and issues by the way they interpret events and situations. REBT also assumes that people are born with both the potential to think rationally and to think irrationally, to be happy and loving and grow, as well as to make mistakes, be imperfect, and avoid growth. Emotional and behavioral problems start when people confuse preferences for needs. These irrational beliefs are learned in childhood from significant others as well as coming up with superstitions by ourselves. These beliefs and accompanying behaviors are reinforced by self-repetition, so they continue into adulthood. Ellis assumed that people do not need to be loved or accepted, and that most emotional disturbances are the result of blame. To solve these problems, people need to accept their imperfections and recognize and remove their irrational beliefs.
[...] I think it would be effective more many different people and issues, as the techniques are eclectic and address different aspects of problems cognitive, emotional, and behavioral issues. The combination of techniques can be adjusted easily to address any client's particular needs. I think the avoidance of transference and the focus on helping clients develop independence and competence without a significantly strong therapeutic relationship would help the progress of therapy and make termination easier as well as giving the client confidence to deal with future problems on their own. [...]
[...] Reality Therapy Reality Therapy theory assumes that people are born with five instinctual needs: survival, love and belonging, power or achievement, freedom or independence, and fun. Everyone has these needs, but in differing amounts. Unhappiness is caused by any of these five needs being unsatisfied. We then try to compensate and meet these needs, however, we do not meet those needs directly. We all have a quality world where we have stored everything we have done that has ever made us feel good. [...]
[...] Reality therapy works on a cycle of creating the counseling environment and implementing specific procedures that lead to changes in behavior. The counseling environment is significant, because as the client becomes comfortable with the mildly confrontive, noncriticizing, caring environment, they learn to recreate this type of environment to develop successful relationships. The basic strategies in reality therapy are known as the system, where W=wants and needs, D=direction and doing, E=self-evaluation, and P=planning. Clients first are encouraged to recognize, define, and refine how they want to meet their needs and wants of their quality world. [...]
[...] Clients are expected to do a lot of work outside of the therapy sessions in the form of behavioral homework. Therapy focuses mostly on the here and now, without discussion of early childhood experiences or relationships. Behavioral homework is designed to get clients to carry out positive actions that facilitate emotional change. Near the end of therapy, the client and therapist work to create a plan for dealing with continuing and potential problems in the future. An intense relationship between therapist and client is not required for REBT. [...]
[...] Reality therapy seems it would be most effective for those with mild emotional disturbances high functioning adults with nonorganic problems. Its emphasis on relationships would make it suitable for couple's therapy, and could even be easily used as a Christian therapy method, where the significant relationship of focus is the client's relationship with God. It could also be effective for depression, anxiety, and social problems. In my opinion, this theory can be very effective as it helps clients clarify what they really want in life and how to achieve those wants. [...]
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