Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy

This chapter focuses on REBT, a system for identifying and disputing irrational beliefs. Irrational beliefs are identified by their failure to meet three requirements: (1) that they be useful in dealing with the situation; (2) that they are based on known facts and reality; (3) that they are logical. Once irrational beliefs are identified, the process of ‘disputing’ the beliefs is described, and several tools are introduced, including the zigzag form. An example of using the REBT process in an integrated manner with traditional talk therapy is given.