Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy

REBT is the pioneering form of cognitive behaviour therapy developed by Dr Albert Ellis in 1955. REBT is an action-oriented approach to managing cognitive, emotional, and behavioural disturbances.  According to REBT, it is largely our thinking about events that leads to emotional and behavioural upset.  With an emphasis on the present, individuals are taught how to examine and challenge their unhelpful thinking which creates unhealthy emotions and self-defeating/self-sabotaging behaviours.

REBT is a practical approach to assist individuals in coping with and overcoming adversity as well as achieving goals.  REBT places a good deal of its focus on the present. REBT addresses attitudes, unhealthy emotions (e.g., unhealthy anger, depression, anxiety, guilt, etc.) and maladaptive behaviours (e.g., procrastination, addictive behaviours, aggression, unhealthy eating, sleep disturbance, etc.) that can negatively impact life satisfaction.  

REBT practitioners work closely with individuals, seeking to help identify their individual set of beliefs (attitudes, expectations and personal rules) that frequently lead to emotional distress.  REBT then provides a variety of methods to help people reformulate their dysfunctional beliefs into more sensible, realistic and helpful ones by employing the powerful REBT technique called “disputing.”  

REBT is a practical, action-oriented approach to coping with problems and enhancing personal growth.  REBT places a good deal of its focus on the present: on currently-held attitudes, painful emotions and maladaptive behaviours that can sabotage a fuller experience of life. REBT also provides people with an individualised set of proven techniques for helping them to solve problems. 

Ultimately, REBT helps individuals to develop a philosophy and approach to living that can increase their effectiveness and satisfaction at work, in living successfully with others, in parenting and educational settings, in making our community and environment healthier, and in enhancing their own emotional health and personal welfare.